The Department of Labour and Workforce Development in conjunction with The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board facilitated the training of young Virgin Islanders in the importance of Tourism and Customer Service earlier this month.

Mrs. Roxane DeWindt-Toussaint the Workforce Development Manager, stated “One of the Department’s main focus is the development of individuals in the territory to ensure that they meet the requirements in today’s job market. Throughout the year we hope to have a series of training workshops and we encourage Virgin Islanders/ Belongers looking for employment or change of employment to please register with the Department and take full advantage of these trainings and employment opportunities”.

Participants of the workshop learnt first-hand the importance of customer service and hospitality in this competitive tourism market. They were given the tools on how to greet and engage with visitors and residents as good customer service enhances the overall experiences which leads to positive word of mouth feedback, excellent social media postings and repeat customers.

Mr. Mervin Hastings, the Acting Labour Commissioner similarly stated that “Tourism and customer service are two interconnected pillars that uphold the global hospitality industry. The British Virgin Islands had well over nine hundred thousand (900,000) visitors to our shores in 2023, a record number in recent years, so it’s crucial that we equip our people with the necessary tools.”

Notably, the Department of Labour and Workforce Deployment will be modernising with the introduction of a new Labour Management System which will streamline processes, improve efficiency and enable online job search, registration, application and payments starting in June.

Recognising that human capital is the cornerstone of economic progress, the Department of Labour and Workforce Development is committed to implementing robust strategies and initiatives aimed at empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving global economy.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is dedicated to fostering the growth and prosperity of our nation by prioritising the development of a skilled and dynamic labour force.