Training began for fifty apprentices on Monday, September 14, in the Ministry of Education and Culture’s Apprenticeship Programme. The second cohort of apprentices will be trained in a week-long workshop at the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports under the theme: “Developing Value for Job Opportunity.”

The Ministry of Education and Culture’s Apprenticeship Programme is an ongoing initiative geared at assisting the youth of the Virgin Islands in finding employment through a coordinated effort involving business and industry. At the end of the six month apprenticeship period, a new cohort of young persons is selected.

Programme Facilitator and Director of BizCom Ed Consulting, Mrs. Judith Vanterpool said it was a privilege to develop the Youth Empowerment Programme for the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Minister, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn. She said that she feels very passionate about the programme because of her interest in developing the youth and influencing the future of the Virgin Islands.

Mrs. Vanterpool said, “Having the opportunity to influence the young people in professional behaviour is priceless. In this year’s programme, we have been focusing on developing value for job opportunity. We have looked at communication skills, personality profiles, customer service and team building. We are also preparing the apprentices for interviews, thereby focusing on their interview skills.”

Apprentices will have the opportunity to fine tune their interviewing and soft skills this week, as a series of presentations and scenario-based learning will be provided in making them job ready before the launch of the programme’s job fair.

Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture and Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye, said the sessions are helping the young people learn who they are. She said that they have learnt about themselves, their dominant traits, how they perceive the world, and how they interact with people.

She said, “We also did some personality profiles on them so that they could better understand themselves. By doing that, they can better understand what kinds of jobs or roles they will succeed in.”

Mrs. Lettsome-Tye added, “We’ve seen some tremendous growth. It’s only two and a half days, but we’ve seen growth. I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen so far. We commit to doing our best to helping our young people become the best, so we’re very pleased and we’re looking forward to the rest of the sessions.”

Presentations will be delivered by Programme Coordinator of the Youth Employment Services (YES), Mr. Albert Wheatley; Director of Communications, Mrs. Arliene T. Penn; Director of BizCom Ed Consulting, Mrs. Judith Vanterpool; Guidance Counsellor, Mrs. Brendalee Jones; and Representative of the second district and Director of LIONHEART, Honourable Melvin Mitch Turnbull.

The Ministry of Education and Culture’s Apprenticeship Programme is open to any business or industry partner throughout the Territory who is willing to partner with the Ministry of Education and Culture to provide employment to young persons for a period of six months who meet the criteria for selection. During this time, the business pays half, and the government the other half of the monthly salaries.

The Apprenticeship Programme is available to young BVIslanders/Belongers throughout the Territory, from Anegada to Jost Van Dyke, between the ages of 18 to 29 years who have been registered at the Youth Employment Services and are currently unemployed. Interested persons can contact programme coordinator and Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye at 468-3351/4969 or by email at brlettsome-tye@gov.vg.

The Ministry of Education and Culture strives to effectively manage and administer the Territory’s future through the support of this programme and its youth in all aspects. Please contact the Ministry of Education and Culture at 468-2151 for more information on the Apprenticeship Programme.