BVI News

Gov’t can’t hire more people right now so start your own businesses

“The Premier and Minister of Finance is telling you that we cannot employ more persons at this time” — Dr Wheatley.

Amid a hiring freeze in the public service and widespread jobs-losses because of COVID-19, Education Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley has urged recent graduates of the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies to start their own businesses with the skills they have acquired.

Dr Wheatley made the call at the graduation ceremony held for students who have completed the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) programme.

The CVQ is administered by the Caribbean Examination Council. The Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies (VISTS) is the only educational facility in the territory which offers the certificate.

Minister Wheatley reminded students that technical vocational studies is at the forefront of the future of the territory’s economy.

“In the past, it would be commonplace for persons such as yourselves just to go to the government and say ‘I want a job’, and sometimes persons got jobs regardless of qualifications. That is not the situation today. The Premier and Minister of Finance is telling you that we cannot employ more persons at this time. That’s why I am here to encourage the young people to start thinking about opening their own businesses,” Dr Wheatley explained.

Meanwhile, VISTS principal, Andrew Francis urged the graduates to forget the stigma that is attached to technical training, adding that they are qualified and competent to find their place in the working world.

“It is a global certificate, so once you leave the shores of the BVI you will be able to present this certificate to say that ‘I am competent as an Automotive Technician, I am competent as a Cosmetologist, I am competent as a Commercial Food Chef or Bartender’,” Francis said.

The graduates received certification in areas such as motor vehicle repairs, bartending, food and beverage, commercial food preparation and cosmetology.

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26 Comments

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  1. Hmmmmm says:

    First of all I would like to thank Myron and the NDP for their vision to have this school in place. It is a good institution and it’s bearing fruits already.
    Secondly, I understand the situation that the government is in but I have a few questions. How government cannot afford to hire young people but
    1. Cline has big contract for 250k?
    2. The two political consultants got big contracts to cause mischief in the country?
    3. Ministers driving around in 80k vehicles that the taxpayers money is being used to buy the very gas
    4. Nearly 20k per day to have some barges sit on the water and still can’t catch anybody
    5. How the body guards got paid?
    6. The renting of buildings owned by cronies at exorbitant rates.

    But we cannot hire any young people. How?

    Answer those for now for me.

    Like 65
    Dislike 1
    • @Hmmmmm says:

      And they will NEVER ANDWER THAT VERY TRANSPARENT QUESTION THAT YOU ASKED AND DESERVE AN ANSWER. THEY REALLY THINK THAT WE THE PEOPLE IS STUPID. KNOW WHAT? LET THEM KEEP PUTTING THEIR FOOT IN THEIR MOUTHS AND THE VOTING PUBLIC SHALL BRING FORTH THE TRUTH NEXT ELECTION. EVERYONE OF YOU IS ON VOTERS PROBATION. TAKE IT ANYWAY YOU CHOOSES, IT IS WHAT IT IS.

  2. @Hmmm says:

    Leave them. Time longer than twine. The Great God of the Universe don’t sleep.

    Like 10
  3. BuzzBvi says:

    Start a consultancy. You can then work for the Government for a lost more money and do not have to show any results. See C O. S-C for more info.

    Like 29
  4. St. Thomian says:

    By their very nature BVIslanders and St. Thomians in general are business owners. One may say they don’t like to work but they like to own businesses. If this saying is true then you guys that just graduated aint got a thing to worry about.

  5. So ridiculous says:

    My advise to the young people in Tortola, run and don’t come back. Why not retire out the older ones working for Government and give the younger people a chance.

    Like 19
    Dislike 4
    • Exactly says:

      The ones that have been sitting in Government jobs for years give them a damn retirement package and send them on their way. I would agree, give the younger ones a chance. I also would agree, the younger ones, if you can, get the HECK AWAY FROM THIS PLACE AND DON’T COME BACK OR INVEST ANYTHING IN REBUILDING THE COUNTRY.

      Like 12
      Dislike 6
  6. Comments says:

    Don’t worry Mr 4yrs just right around the corner for you and your government to get going ayo is a set of c**cks

    Like 11
    Dislike 1
  7. Just so says:

    Will I need a business grant to start this business

    Like 10
    Dislike 1
  8. Precious says:

    There is a simple solution. Cancel all work permits 5 years and under (free up some jobs), then Gov’t can start shedding some of that weight and these people can become gainfully employed where the work permit holders were employed.

    Like 5
    Dislike 9
  9. We ain’t stupid boss says:

    We can’t get a job but ayo driving around in big ride. You Hon. ******** didn’t even have a proper vehicle before but now yuh sporting around in big ride on my parents tax money but I can’t get a job. Check you in two years. You all think the youths stupid.

    Like 13
    Dislike 2
    • For real man says:

      ALL OF THEM RIDING AROUND PLECK OFF IN LUXARY RIDES ON THE BACKS OF THE TAX PAYERS. IN PERU, LOOK AT HOW THE YOUNG PEOPLE TURN ON THE GOVERNMENT. I ALSO AGREE, THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE BVI, RUN FROM THIS PLACE THAT IS STIFLING YOU. DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME INVESTING AND BUILDING UP THIS PLACE.

      Like 5
      Dislike 4
      • Jack says:

        Run, don’t walk, run!!! They too bias. If you not in their circles, you fart. Put on your shoes and run fast.

        Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back no more, no more, no more!!!?‍♂️?‍♀️

  10. Continue says:

    They could hire all their political cronies though. They have some on every board getting more money the people who work there.

    Like 11
    • lol says:

      A relative who doesn’t even live in the BVI getting monthly paid vacation and a fat paycheck. Where else can you be on a Board, past retirement, and also an employee of the same organization and setting your own salary at the same time? Ask the black jew about the sweat deal he gave his in law from Washington to run that Board.

  11. HAHA says:

    Unless you are a VIP crony with Kung Fu skills (read between the lines!).

  12. duh says:

    Seriously if leaving school and work for Government is your life plan you have issues and it shouldn’t be something that people in this day and age are considering. Go and find someone to work for that you can learn the soft skills that school didn’t give you and if you want to work for yourself go and do that as well.
    The only way the BVI is going to survive for the next 20 years is by reducing the Government payroll.

    Like 11
    Dislike 1
  13. LOL says:

    Hey lecturer Wheatley! Still waiting on my college grades from 2016. Hook me up with a job for that.

  14. Yep says:

    Yes young people, start a small business and hope that your offering may cater to some services that Government may require. Provide said goods/services to the Government and wait 6 months to get paid while you struggle to pay your bills. Eventually your business will fold because the Government takes too long to pay and other locals copy your exact business then all fail. Our young generation is F**KED unless they focus heavily on a trade.

    Like 7
    Dislike 1
  15. Heckler says:

    Except of course cronies and relatives. They can hire lots of those

  16. No jobs for locals says:

    In the VI jobs are available for foreig
    ners only, none for locals. The excuse is there are no qualified locals yet money is being spent to qualify and train locals. What the hxxl is going on in this place. NDP, VIP no difference we need anothr party.

  17. lebronjames says:

    myron well to come back for better

  18. L2 cents says:

    I think you need an economy to start a business

  19. bullshit says:

    but your premier take williams & stoutt outta retirement and give them job at the airport tho and telling the youths who is the future the govt dont have jobs really yall going to get what the duck get at the poles…all that hoooray about 1000 jobs in 1000 days was all BULLSHIT election hype…

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