Gov’t launches ‘Let’s Build VI’ with 81 scholarships
The government has officially launched its ‘Let’s Build VI’ initiative, offering 81 fully funded scholarships aimed at preparing Virgin Islanders for key sectors of the economy.
Education Minister Sharie deCastro said the programme marks a deliberate effort to reshape workforce development in the territory, positioning locals at the centre of national growth.
“Today is not just a launch of Let’s Build VI. Today is a declaration,” she stated. “It is a declaration that we understand something deeply important, that the future of the Virgin Islands will not be built by chance. It will be built by people.”
The scholarships will support training in marine, construction, and hospitality — three industries identified as critical to the Virgin Islands’ economy. DeCastro noted that the initiative builds on the earlier ‘Let’s Teach VI’ programme, which focused on increasing local participation in education.
Addressing longstanding workforce gaps
She said the programme is designed to address longstanding workforce gaps. “We see the industries that drive our economy… we see the opportunities, but we also see the gaps,” she explained. “And too often, those gaps are filled from the outside.”
Under the first phase, nine scholarships will be allocated to each of the territory’s nine districts. According to the minister, this ensures equal access across communities.
“This first phase of Let’s Build VI will provide… 81 scholarships with nine opportunities in each of our nine districts,” she said. “That means every single district in this territory will be touched.”
The programme represents an estimated $400,000 government investment, up from an initial projection of $200,000. DeCastro said the expansion reflects a commitment to delivering comprehensive training rather than limited support.
“This programme is now an investment of about $400,000 in the people of the Virgin Islands,” she noted. “We are no longer just thinking in terms of what the minimum investment could be, but we are thinking about maximum impact.”
An investment that carries expectation
DeCastro emphasised that while the scholarships are fully funded, they require commitment from participants. “I said fully funded, but I did not say free. This is an investment… that carries expectation, that carries responsibility,” she said.
She added that the programme is expected to expand into additional sectors such as financial services and healthcare, based on demand.
“This programme will grow, it will expand, and it will continue to adapt based on need,” she stated.
The Education Minister described the initiative as a shift in national development strategy. “It is a declaration that we are ready to build differently, that we are ready to invest boldly, and that we believe in Virgin Islanders,” she said. “The future of the Virgin Islands will be built by… Virgin Islanders.”
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Let’s create a fund whereby all of our girlfriends and boyfriends can claim money for their credit cards. People with zero integrity should have zero right of audience. Go Away!
election soon coming watch all a them have things to talk about just now set a crooks
I am a government employee and has been applying for these “scholarships” since they’ve been advertising so much … when you email them no reponse….
no response since January … deadline gone and everything .
i have a friend experienced the same thing. she has an associates and wanted to bachelors but no matter how times she applied via the the email programmed never ever got a response smh and we are both locals….but i guess we not pure blooded enough… no close enough to the inner elite families.
they already have their “pre selected candidates” for these scholarships. unless you know you is one of them dont bother unless you got close connections and links… ofc the big family.
dont forget coi revealed govermnet give scholarship money to people who never set foot on the campus up to this day!
Atleast you got in government, I know dozens of qualified people not getting entry level or jobs they more than qualify for with experience while people with no experience or qualifications pop up on the job!
That too
many locals will finish school some stop at high school diploma others at associates and bachelors
whenever they apply nothing….. some applying for over 5 years and can’t get no government job but they always advertising …
but when you look at the ministers them offspring’s they go away and come back and land a job immediately!
k offspring finished school and landed a nursing scholarship and training right here in bvi…when she done that she guaranteed got a government job waiting for her
V offspring finish school….soon she reach back boom!! done in goverment…
few years later boom done moved to working vg in his very district……..
some vg residents who alrdy barely made it into government could only dream of getting a transfer to work on their home island to ease the burden of expensive travels…..
thats why i dont blame the locals who dont come back or leave to find work else where in more developed countries. they always look happier and accomplished much more rather than sitting down here in our 3rd world country getting knock about..
if its this bad now imagine independence……………………………
This is one g**f that needs to go home next election and return all that travel and greedy bill taxpayer money
I guess it’s vote for me, vote for me. I am working. Look at me, look at me…strupes.I hope the electorates see right through this bias, uncouth, disrespectful, one sided young lady. She got a chance to be better and blew it by abusing her powers. Then she drew another one like herself, the CEO to promote their own while pushing down well qualified deserving people. I hope she takes the with her when she leaves.
The virgin islands have to be built every day woman….Every day.