The Virgin Islands Education Department’s State Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education hosted its annual fair Friday at Emancipation Garden from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Held in recognition of Career and Technical Education Month, the event brought together current and prospective students from parochial, private and public schools across St. Thomas and St. John. VIDE funded ferry transportation for St. John students to attend.
VIDE State Director of CTAE and event organizer Monique Faulkner served as emcee, keeping attendees informed throughout the day.
“The fair is a true demonstration of the upperclassmen who are getting ready to embark upon their careers in the district,” Faulkner told the Source before the event. Younger students observed the work of those ahead of them as they considered their own career paths.
Gifft Hill School science teacher Chris Dunlap traveled from St. John with a group of sophomores and juniors. He said the fair helped students understand career opportunities available in the territory.
“It explains the career options close to home if one wants to contribute locally,” Dunlap said, adding that the event provided insights for those exploring alternatives to college.
The fair focused on “Transforming Today’s Learners Into Tomorrow’s Leaders” and highlighted the efforts of the State Office of CTAE to support a curriculum that incorporates various trades, skills and learning needs.
“This event really is to showcase the talents and skill sets of the students in CTAE within the Virgin Islands Department of Education and to give the students an opportunity to demonstrate their trades and explain to people the work, artistry and craftsmanship that goes into making their trades,” Faulkner said.
She also emphasized the importance of exposing students from private and parochial schools to CTAE programs.
“For parochial and private schools, we wanted to give them an opportunity to see CTAE because a lot of these schools do not have CTAE,” she said. “It is my hope to work on a plan to introduce CTAE to the private and parochial schools.”
One of the event’s main attractions was an electric vehicle built by students.
“This year we have the electric vehicle, which was built by the students. It is a hit!” Faulkner said. Lines of students waiting for test drives reinforced her statement.
The event also featured a display of student sewing projects, including aprons made from repurposed denim, patchwork pillows, tote bags and embroidered clothing.
Some items were available for purchase to generate revenue, but most would be kept by students, according to instructor Beryl Ryan.
Auto repair students from Charlotte Amalie High School spoke with younger students about their experiences as their teacher, Lonel McLeish, observed.
“We are trying to pique their interest from a young age, guide them and help them to navigate,” McLeish said. “We also show them the different things we do.”
He said many students enter high school without a clear idea of their career interests.
“A lot of them get to high school and do not know what they want to do,” he said.
Representatives from various industries and organizations were also present, including the military.
“Today was a great event. I was able to provide a lot of information to our community,” said Staff Sgt. De Lugo. “One of the biggest issues is that we are not informed as a community.”
To address this, he spoke with students about career options in the armed forces.
“I advise about the options, opportunities [and] the benefits that they can capitalize on” if they choose to enlist, he said.
The annual event continues to introduce students to career pathways and workforce opportunities in the Virgin Islands.
