May 13, 2002 – In keeping with the community engagement thrust of its strategic plan, the University of the Virgin Islands has announced the opening of its Workforce and Economic Development Institute, which will provide free hospitality and information technology training this summer to 60 individuals.
The Workforce and Economic Development Institute is one area of the community and personal development unit at UVI, which will provide skills in preparation for positions within industries that currently exist in the U.S. Virgin Islands or are planned for the future.
"We want to build the kind of workforce that will be needed in the future," said Ilene Heyward, director of the community and personal development unit, in a release. "We want people to get trained so that they can get career-track positions in the territory. One area of focus is the UVI Research & Technology Park."
Applications are being accepted for pre-employment training on St. Thomas and St. Croix. Training sites will be established on both islands. Participants will receive certificates of completion at the conclusion of training.
Initial classes will begin in July, and 60 people will be trained for entry-level hospitality and information technology jobs. Applicants must be 18 years or older, must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, must have previous employment experience and must be in the low- to moderate-income level. They also must be unemployed, or employed and in need of training.
Institute participants will be instructed in hospitality and information technology basics. Hospitality industry participants will gain an understanding of how hospitality and tourism combine, as well as an appreciation of Caribbean culture. The curriculum is certified by the Educational Institute of Hotels and Motels.
Information technology participants will be given a solid introduction to information technology basics, including software skills, keyboarding and web navigation.
For further information on the Institute, please contact Mabel J. Maduro, project director, at 714-7620.
Businesses interested in providing paid internships to program participants once they receive certification are also encouraged to call.
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