On Nov. 13-14, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. will host his first Governor’s Workforce Development Summit, which will be an annual event in the Virgin Islands.
The Virgin Islands is in a phase of recovery and rebuilding. In 2017 the territory experienced two Category 5 hurricanes that changed the physical landscape as well as the workforce needs of the territory. Bryan is committed to addressing the workforce deficits and reshaping the Virgin Islands; he has made Workforce Development a priority of his administration.
The governor would like to see every training dollar in the Virgin Islands translate into sustainable employment and nationally recognized credentials for the job seeker and a skilled workforce for employers. As such, he has identified work-based learning as the path forward in building capacity and expanding economic development in the territory.
The Office of the Governor has invited partners in the U.S. Office of Apprenticeship, subject matter experts and work-based learning practitioners to share information on the mechanics and operation of successful models. Panel speakers will highlight examples of work-based learning initiatives that currently are underway in the Virgin Islands and that share opportunities for further development.
The summit convenes the V.I.’s leadership (employers, legislators, educators, union leaders, policy makers, human resource professionals and workforce development professionals) to begin the process of creating a territory-wide workforce strategy.
The Bryan/Roach Administration strives to educate employers, build business engagement and partner with its educators to grow work-based, registered apprenticeship offerings. Through collaboration and action, the administration anticipates the emergence of a stronger and more resilient workforce in the U.S.V.I.
The summit meetings will take place on Nov. 13 at the WICO facility on St. Thomas and on Nov. 14 at the Divi Carina Bay Hotel on St. Croix.
For more information, contact Shauna Bass, policy advisor for education and workforce, at 773-1404.
