ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, March 2nd, 2012 – Sixty-two previously unemployed youths reported to work yesterday at the Ministry of Communications and Works as part of the Ministry’s Apprenticeship Programme.
The apprenticeship programme is the brain child of the Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark Vanterpool as part of his commitment to support the Ministry of Education and Culture’s Youth Unemployment Initiative and his desire to provide opportunities for the Territory’s young people in developing their knowledge and skills, thereby making them more marketable in their quest for employment.
“We view this apprenticeship programme as an important “building block” in equipping our young people with the tools that are needed to function efficiently and effectively in today’s workplace, and to also become contributing members of society in positive ways,” Minister Vanterpool told the Department of Information and Public Relations.
“It is very important that participants are exposed to a meaningful apprenticeship experience that could lead to knowledge transfer as well as more permanent employment opportunities,” he said.
Managers from the Ministry’s Statutory Bodies, Departments and Units have all given their support to the apprenticeship programme and made a commitment to expose the participants to the real world of work.
A meeting with supervisors was held on February 27 to outline the responsibilities and expectations of supervisors and apprentices and on February 28 apprentices reported for an orientation at Maria’s By the Sea hotel to address housekeeping matters including, attendance, job expectations, rules and conduct while employed as part of the programme.
Of the 62 apprentices that reported to work today, 51 were assigned to the ministry’s departments and units, with the remainder employed by statutory bodies.
We are excited that we have been entrusted to execute such an important initiative,” Mrs. Perline Scatliffe-Leonard, Human Resources Manager said. Based on the feedback received during the orientation, I know that we have a good group of individuals who are ready and eager to learn, and we are committed to honing their talents and motivating and inspiring them towards excellence,” Mrs. Scatliffe-Leonard concluded.
The Youth Unemployment Register (YUR) is an initiative of the Ministry of Education and Culture, as Government seeks to enhance the quality of life for residents of the Virgin Islands by making sure that the youth population is equipped with the necessary skills and experience to enter the workforce.
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