For more than a decade, the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) has opened the Young Environmentalist Leadership Course (YELC) to 10 Caymanian students each year, helping bridge the gap between post-school education and the workplace in the Cayman Islands. The programme combines professional dive training with immersive fieldwork at the Little Cayman Research Centre, giving participants first-hand exposure to marine science and conservation. By building both environmental awareness and practical skills, YELC continues to prepare the next generation for future careers in ocean stewardship and the local water sports industry.
Caymanian students are invited to apply to join the 2026 YELC programme, where they will be trained through PADI Rescue Diver level in Grand Cayman with Divetech. Following the completion of the dive training, YELC participants then spend a week at CCMI in Little Cayman in August putting their training to the test, building knowledge and skills in the field, developing key soft skills, and making career connections under the guidance of the expert educators and researchers at CCMI.
Robyn Larkin. CCMI's project manager states:
"The Young Environmentalist Leadership Course is more than just a skills training programme. It provides an important foundation of relevant skills as well as knowledge to help empower Caymanian youth - the future community leaders and decision makers in the Cayman Islands. Through YELC, students gain essential knowledge about our local ecosystems while building a base of practical skills that grow their confidence and capability. Whether they go on to careers in conservation, science, or the watersports/dive tourism industry, this experience equips them with the tools, attitude, and enthusiasm to make a meaningful impact in their home country."
Through the support of YELC programme sponsors, including Foster's Supermarket, Rotary Central Grand Cayman, CG BritCay, RF Bank and Trust, and Divetech, participants are awarded full course scholarships that covers the dive training fees, flights to/from Little Cayman, accommodations at the Little Cayman Research Centre, diving, and other costs associated with the experience. To date, more than 120 students have completed the YELC programme.
Dylan Lynee, who took part in the program in 2025, said
"I learned a lot about coral ID, more stuff than I did know before, which is very helpful in terms of what I want to do in the future, in terms of research, which is really cool."
As well as building crucial career skills, YELC connects participants with other likeminded individuals and local industry leaders such as dive instructors, scientists, educators, and researchers.
YELC alumni Ziva Costa really loved building these personal links:
"My experience has been amazing, definitely a once in a lifetime, with people, instructors, and memories I'll never forget."
If experience would be beneficial to a Caymanian teen you know, encourage them to apply now for the 10 scholarship places available. For more information about the course and the application link, visit www.reefresearch.org/yelc/.
The application deadline is the 25th of April. Applicants will be interviewed the following week, and dive training for those accepted into the programme will begin 21 May.
Please contact education@reefresearch.org with any question.