Gov’t targets 81 scholarships across nine districts

The government is targeting 81 scholarships across the BVI’s nine electoral districts to provide training opportunities in the maritime, construction and hospitality sectors, Education Minister Sharie deCastro has disclosed.

The initiative is part of the government’s Let’s Build VI programme, which seeks to expand access to technical and vocational training and develop skills in industries across the Territory.

Speaking on the government’s Virgin Islands Voice show, deCastro said the programme grew out of the Let’s Teach VI initiative, which initially focused on recruiting and training local educators.

“Let’s Teach VI evolved into Let’s Build VI because we didn’t want to just create a space for educators to be developed,” deCastro stated.

“We wanted to develop other industries in the territory as well. And so we know the marine industry is a huge part of who we are, the construction industry as well, and hospitality,” she added.

The minister said the government had created 81 scholarships across the nine districts to provide financial support for persons seeking training in those fields.

The programme includes a $375,000 allocation for scholarships covering maritime training, technical and skilled trade certifications, and opportunities in hospitality and luxury tourism education.

DeCastro also disclosed that the first group of trainees began their programme in September.

“The first 10 started in September. I was able to go and meet them on their first day. And I think we have a cohort of nine young men and one young woman,” she stated.

The minister said the participants were receiving training to prepare them for employment in the territory’s maritime sector.

The scholarship initiative follows the government’s investment in teacher training through partnerships with the H Lavity Stoutt Community College, the University of the Virgin Islands and other institutions.

DeCastro said the government had also established 20 teacher training positions to encourage high school graduates to enter the profession.

She said some participants completed their associate degrees and progressed to bachelor’s degree studies at the local college.

According to deCastro, the government had pursued these training initiatives as part of its efforts to develop a local workforce and expand educational opportunities in the Territory.

The government officially launched Let’s Build VI in March 2026, announcing nine fully funded scholarships for each electoral district. At the launch, deCastro placed the programme’s estimated investment at approximately $400,000, an increase from the initial $200,000 projection.

The initiative also complements maritime training developments at H Lavity Stoutt Community College, which reopened its maritime fire safety training facility in March to support internationally recognised certification for seafarers.