Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

Graduates urged to start businesses with skills from vocational programme

Graduates urged to start businesses with skills from vocational programme

Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley has encouraged graduates of the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) programme to start their own businesses with the skills they have acquired.
In his address to the graduates of the second and third cohort of students from the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies (VISTS), Honourable Wheatley said technical vocational studies is at the forefront of the future of the Territory’s economy.

“In the past, it would be common place for persons such as yourselves just to go to the Government and say ‘I want a job’ and sometimes persons got jobs regardless of qualifications. That is not the situation today. The Premier and Minister of Finance is telling you that we cannot employ more persons at this time. That’s why I am here to encourage the young people to start thinking about opening their own businesses.”

Principal, Mr. Andrew Francis told the students that the stigma of technical vocational studies should have no merit today and that they are the change makers that will be going into the work force because they will be competent to do so.

“This certificate states that you qualified, you are competent and you will be able to fit right into the world of work,” he said, adding, “It is a global certificate, so once you leave the shores of the BVI you will be able to present this certificate to say that I am competent as an Automotive Technician, I am competent as a Cosmetologist, I am competent as a Commercial Food Chef or Bartender.”

Mr. Francis said students have moved on from the institution into tertiary institutions in the United States because of the foundation they received from the school. “No matter where you go, Technical Vocational Studies is the drive of the economic growth,” he said.

The Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) is administered by the Caribbean Examination Council and the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies (VISTS) is the only school in the Territory who offer the certificate.

Mr. Francis said the certificate represents the achievement of a set of competences that define the core work practices of an occupational area consistent with the levels articulated within the regional qualifications framework. These competencies for the graduating class include motor vehicle repairs, bartending, food and beverage, commercial food preparation and cosmetology.

Student respondent and past graduate, Noah Spencer said that the CVQ, as well as the institution, played a great role in making him the man he is today.

“Attaining this certificate was not easy but this school has molded me and has set me forth in the path to become great. I want to encourage you students to become what you want to be and be the best you can be. Even if all you can do is tighten a log, you have a certificate that says you are the man to tighten the log. Show off your certificate to say I am the one for this.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×