Nearly 40 Percent Of Virgin Islands Employers Have Hard Time Filling Skilled Job Positions; Expert Says

ST. THOMAS — Government Economist Lauritz Mills on Wednesday told Governor Kenneth Mapp, other government officials and business leaders that employers in the territory have difficulty filling jobs for skilled workers in variety of areas. She said if the territory is to attract higher paying jobs in technology and financial services, local education and training opportunities must be significantly improved.

“We need to focus on higher skills jobs in order to grow the economy,” Ms. Mills said during a meeting at Government House during a meeting of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee, a group comprised of government officials, business people and community leaders organized to identify and develop public policy that will best enhance the Virgin Islands’ economic development, according to Government House.

Her recommendations included the development of certificate training and apprenticeship programs in technical fields, greater emphasis on science and technology in schools and more collaboration between the private and public sectors so that workforce development is aligned with the needs of the business community.

According to Government  House, the Mapp-Potter administration is now working with the Education and Labor departments and the University of the Virgin Islands to establish new vocational skills programs at the former HOVENSA training center recently acquired by the government.

Improving standards of service and enhancing the work ethic were also discussed and many agreed it remained a significant problem in both the private and public sectors. Labor Commissioner Catherine Hendry said instilling a better work ethic in young people was an ongoing effort of her department and that she was encouraging employers to mentor summer students.

“I’ve been working since I was 14 and was taught the importance of work, but not all our youth have that opportunity,” she said.

Mr. Mapp stated that the territory’s infrastructure was broken and that we must address long standing problems with power, roads, healthcare, insurance and education in order to move forward.

“We are looking to invest significantly in our infrastructure to support future investment,” he said.

The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee will meet again in June.