Bryan to Host Government’s First Workforce Development Summit

On November 13-14, Governor Albert Bryan will host his first Governor’s Workforce Development Summit, which will be an annual event in the Virgin Islands, Government House made known via release Monday.

The administration said the Virgin Islands is in a phase of recovery and rebuilding and that Mr. Bryan is committed to addressing the workforce deficits and reshaping the Virgin Islands, adding that the governor has made workforce development a priority of his administration.

Mr. Bryan, according to Government House, would like to see every training dollar in the Virgin Islands translate into sustainable employment and nationally recognized credentials for the job seeker, and a skilled workforce for employers. As such, he has identified work-based learning as the path forward in building capacity and expanding economic development in the territory.

The Office of the Governor has invited partners in the U.S. Office of Apprenticeship, subject matter experts and work-based learning practitioners to inform on the mechanics and operation of successful models, Government House said. Panel speakers will highlight examples of work-based learning initiatives that currently are underway in the Virgin Islands and share opportunities for further development.

The Summit convenes the territory’s leadership (employers, legislators, educators, union leaders, policy makers, human resource professionals and workforce development professionals) to begin the process of creating a territory-wide workforce strategy.

“The Bryan/Roach Administration strives to educate employers, build business engagement and partner with our educators to grow work-based, registered apprenticeship offerings. Through collaboration and action, we anticipate the emergence of a stronger and more resilient workforce in the territory,” said the release.

The summit meetings will take place on November 13 at the WICO facility on St. Thomas. On St. Croix, the Summit will take place on November 14 at the Divi Carina Bay Hotel.

For more information, contact Shauna Bass, Policy Advisor for Education and Workforce, at 340-773-1404.