The new Virgin Islands Public Service Learning Institute (VIPSLI) is set to benefit all public officers, regardless of their position and grade.

The Institute will stand as the instructional and governing body for the training and development of all new and existing public officers and will endeavour to ensure officers have the necessary skills and abilities needed to carry out their duties.

Acting Governor, Mr. David Archer Jr. expressed gratitude for the work that has gone into the development of the institute and hopefulness in what the realisation of the institute would mean for the future of the Public Service.

“It is an incredible feeling to know that more resources are available now for the development of public officers, and, by extension, the transformation of the Public Service. This is an important step forward on the road to building a world-class Public Service”, the Acting Governor said.

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Sharleen DaBreo-Lettsome stated that she has increased confidence in the outlook for the future of the Public Service through the work of the institute. She said the genesis of the programme represents the beginning of a new age of continued and increased excellence within the Public Service.

“The training and development of the Public Service will be closely aligned with the priorities and objectives defined within the National Sustainable Development Plan and the Public Service Transformation Plan,” the Permanent Secretary added.

Mrs. DaBreo-Lettsome further stated that it is paramount that the correct capabilities and tools that public officers require to perform their duties are targeted and that they are adequately prepared for upward mobility. She said succession planning plays an important role in building a long-lasting culture of excellence within the Public Service.

A key offering from learning institute will be an Essential Learning and Development Programme to all public officers. Through this programme, officers will complete a minimum of 60 Essential Learning Hours annually.

The onset of the learning Institute is estimated to benefit tremendously from a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.  The extensive MOU allows the Learning Institute to build upon and thrive within the existing framework for professional development that the college has developed and enable Public Officers the immediate benefit of these collective resources.

Interim Director of the institute Dr. Connie E. George who most recently served as the Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports said training and development will span from entry level personnel to senior leaders within the service.

Dr. George said, “Our collective commitment to ongoing learning will contribute greatly to the overall improvement and success of the Public Service, leading to enhanced service delivery and better outcomes for the public. With a specific focus on building capacity, we will continue to develop a Public Service that is truly one to be rivalled on the world stage.”

The vision is “to develop a world-class Public Service filled with highly skilled and adaptable officers.” The institute is set to be completely launched in early 2024, and is poised to place the Virgin Islands as a leader in Public Service Transformation and Development.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is committed to building a world-class Public Service through the ongoing Public Service Transformation programme.