The Department of Labor is recruiting training providers as well as low-income residents eager to learn new skills to fill labor needs in the Virgin Islands.
Acting Labor Commissioner John Sheen said in a statement Monday, "The Human Resource Investment Council has identified several occupations that are in demand in the Virgin Islands. By training our own people, we can improve their own employability and meet the needs of employers who want to hire locally. It's a win-win situation."
Sheen said funds from the Federal Workforce Investment Act will be used to pay providers to train local residents. The Labor Department will refer the newly trained workers to job openings.
Applicants for training are being sought in the following areas on St. Croix:
– Basic skills (reading, language and math);
– Welding and pipefitting;
– Computer skills;
– Office management;
– Computerized accounting and bookkeeping;
– Customer service and sales.
And on St. Thomas:
– Computer skills (beginning and intermediate);
– Computerized accounting and bookkeeping;
– Office management;
– Customer service and sales.
Also on St. Thomas, a trainer specializes in teaching computer and employability skills to those with disabilities.
In addition, training providers are needed in the following construction trades:
– Electrician;
– Mason;
– Master carpenter;
– Millwright;
– Pipefitter.
Trainers are also needed in industrial maintenance:
– Civil engineer and technician;
– Electrical engineer and technician;
– Electronic engineer and technician;
– Industrial engineer and technician;
– Instrument fitter;
– Manager/supervisor;
– Lineman;
– Process operator;
– Survey technician.
In addition, in the area of information technology, trainers for program analysts are being sought.
Interested training providers can pick up applications from the Labor Department on St. Thomas at 53A, 54AB Kronprindsens Gade and on St. Croix at 16AB Church Street in Christiansted. Call 773-1994, ext. 204.
Those interested in acquiring training can visit Labor offices as well or call 776-3700, ext. 2081 on St. Thomas, or 778-0429 on St. Croix.