Thirty-one students have been inducted into the Technical/Vocational Education and Training Apprenticeship (TVET) Programme, a joint programme of the Ministry of Education and Culture and H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. The induction was held during an opening ceremony on Tuesday, September 8.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Education and Culture, Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture, Dr. Marcia Potter said, “In the Virgin Islands we are blessed. I’ve travelled to regional and international meetings on behalf of the Minister and the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Government of the Virgin Islands and when I speak about the opportunities that we have put in place for the young people many of my colleagues in that fora sit in awe of us.”

Dr. Potter added, “Young people in other countries do not get this opportunity. They do not get this second, third or sometimes fourth chance to do something with their lives so that they can go out and make a meaningful contribution to society… Make use of the opportunity.”

Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture, Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye informed participants that at the end of the nine month programme in June 2016, they will have the opportunity to obtain a City and Guilds certification.

City and Guilds is a global leader in skills development, providing services to training providers, employers, and trainees across a variety of sectors to meet the needs of today’s workplace.

Their qualifications are valued by employers across the world, helping individuals develop their talents and abilities for career progression.

In addition to the City and Guilds certification, Mrs. Lettsome-Tye also informed the participants that the programme would be adding three extra sessions in addition to the programme’s one-day retreat.

 Mrs. Lettsome-Tye said the programme coordinators did not feel that the one-day retreat exposed or prepared the participants enough for the internship. She added that there will be the introduction of a session per term, with the first session taking place in October, the second session in January, and the third in March. The session topics will include: Communication, Heart-to-Heart, and the Whole You.

Participants will be expected to attend all classes and complete the mandatory core subjects of Mathematics and English Language course in an addition to their selected technical course.

Remarks were also delivered by Dean of Workforce Training in H. Lavity Stoutt, Mrs. Bernadine Louis; TVET Education Officer, Mr. Allen Hodge; Programme Counsellor, Reverend Wayne R. Hoyte;  and Head of Specialised Training in H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Dr. Spencer Grant.

Eight cohorts of students have completed the TVET Apprenticeship Programme since 2006. It continues to offer entry level professional training in air conditioning and refrigerating, motor vehicle management, culinary and restaurant skills, general office skills, computer application and woodwork to persons between the ages of 18 and 30 years old, who are currently unemployed.

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. Persons can contact programme coordinators Mr. Allen Hodge and Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye in the Ministry of Education and Culture at 468-2151 for more information on the TVET Apprenticeship Programme.