Registration for the Government’s new temporary employment relief and skills development programme, the Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment and Development (RATED) Programme begins tomorrow, Friday 4^th November 2022. Interested persons are invited to obtain and complete the registration form and to submit it with the relevant supporting documents to the Premier’s Office as early as possible.

The RATED Programme seeks to provide three pathways for persons between the age of 18 to 65 who are unemployed or under-employed to obtain opportunities through short term employment, apprenticeship and/or training, education and development, thereby, empowering them through work and training opportunities.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley said in his recent One-On-One press conference, “This programme was formulated to provide services to [Virgin Islanders and] Belongers in our community who are unemployed and underemployed. The concept is providing individuals with training and apprenticeship opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills to become more marketable in the workplace. It also provides temporary employment opportunities in the public sector for activities like farming and beautification.”

The Premier also indicated that participants in the RATED Programme will also be provided with opportunities for self-development through life skills courses and access to motivational speakers.

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Mrs. Elvia Smith-Maduro confirmed that the registration process is now open for persons interested in participating in the Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment and Development Programme.

Mrs. Smith-Maduro, said “Beginning Friday 4^th November 2022, interested persons can access the registration form for the RATED Programme on Government’s website or collect a copy of the form from the Premier's Office located on 2^nd Floor of the Cutlass Tower in Road Town, or from the District Offices on the Sister Islands” adding that, “Completed forms, inclusive of supporting documents, can be submitted via email at premieroffice@gov.vg or can be dropped off at the Premier's Office or the respective Sister Islands District Offices.”

            Participation in the RATED Programme will be open to all Virgin Islanders/Belongers, who will be required to register their interest to participate in the programme and apply for assignment to the various pathways such as Apprenticeship, Employment, Training and Education. The RATED Programme is not for persons with regular full time employment. Some of the work opportunities under the RATED Programme include landscaping, painting curbs, litter collection, bush cutting, ghut cleaning, construction, carpentry, electrician work, repairs to basketball courts and recreational spaces; and clerical work such as receptionist, data entry and digitis ing of paper files; just to name a few.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

1: Flier for the RATED Programme