A cabinet decision made on December 9 2019, stated that $1,075,000 would go towards the Center for Applied Marine Studies, located adjacent to the main campus in Paraquita Bay.

"The remaining $300,000 of the $500,000 approved by Cabinet decision of June 12, 2019, be allocated as follows: $200,000 to be provided for the HLSCC to fund purchasing of the necessary equipment for the Marine Centre's rebuilding of the facility as the Centre of Excellence in the OECS," it said.

Funding for training programmes

The report added: "And $100,000 to be earmarked for other training programmes in other Maritime certified institutions and agreed to work service apprenticeship experience training programmes in the Maritime sector."

A further $600,000 would also be budgeted in the 2020 budget to cover the cost for maritime training at the college as well as other 'certified institutions.'

On Friday, December 20, 2019, the HLSCC received $300,000 to finance its Marine training programme.

The Government pumped $200,000, and Unite BVI donated $100,000.

The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government of Premier, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has always trumpeted its commitment to education and the training of locals for the workforce, particularly in the maritime industry, and is now putting its words into action.