The V.I. State Apprenticeship Council is a regulatory board comprised of nine members who are appointed by the commissioner of labor. The department welcomes the public to follow the reports of this body in the interest of workforce development in the territory.
The Virgin Islands State Apprenticeship Council membership includes two representatives from the Department of Labor, one of whom must be the department’s legal counsel; two representatives from the V.I. Board of Career and Technical Education; two representatives from the private sector who represent the interest of workers; representatives from the private sector who represent the interests of employers; and one representative who is familiar with occupations that can be apprenticed.
The current VISAC members are as follows:
V.I. Department of Labor representatives, one of whom must be the department’s legal counsel:
Shenika Sebastien, director of Youth and Apprenticeship
Atty. Nesha Christian-Hendrickson, assistant commissioner/legal counsel
Virgin Islands Board of Career and Technical Education Representatives:
Michael Francois Ph.D. – Board Member – STX
Ronnie Jones – Board Member – STJ
Private Sector – Interests of Workers Representatives:
Mr. Eugene Irish – President of the Seafarers Union
Shirley Sadler – Office of the Inspector General/Advocate of Second Chance Programs
Private Sector – Interests of Employers Representatives:
Richard Doumeng – Owner of Bolongo Bay
Carla Scott – HR Director of AECOM
Familiar with Apprentice-able Occupations Representative:
Suzanne Darrow-Magras Ph.D. – Director of UVICELL and Chairperson
What are the functions of the VISAC?
The V.I. Apprenticeship Council performs the following functions:
Assist in the development of procedures and policies for the promotion of apprenticeship in the Virgin Islands.
Provide advice and guidance to the Department of Labor in the establishment of standards of apprenticeship in trades and apprentice-able occupations suitable to the economy and conditions in the Islands.
Approves apprenticeship standards that meet minimum basic standards of regulations.
Assists in educating the community on apprenticeship.
Ensures compliance of Affirmative Action Plans associated with apprenticeship standards.
Acts as the second level of appeal for complaints of apprentices.
Future meeting dates for the V.I. State Apprenticeship Council are as follows:
February 16, 2-3:30 p.m.
May 18, 2-3:30 p.m.
August 17, 2-3:30 p.m.
November 16, 2-3:30 p.m.
Find out more about the V.I. State Apprenticeship Council by visiting the department online at www.vidol.gov.
