Governor Bryan and U.S. Department of Labor Administrator John Ladd Sign Certificate Establishing VI Teacher Apprenticeship Program

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Governor Albert Bryan Jr. joined U.S. Department of Labor Administrator John V. Ladd, VI Department of Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington, UVI President Safiya George, organizers and sponsors in St. Thomas on Tuesday for the launch of the Teacher Apprenticeship Program in the Virgin Islands.

In his remarks, Administrator Ladd said that while Teacher Apprenticeship programs are spreading across the U.S., the Department of Labor praises the Virgin Islands for being ahead of the curve, taking advantage of the opportunity to develop homegrown talent.

Commissioner Wells-Hedrington acknowledged that the Virgin Islands’ teacher shortage is not unique.  Many communities are beginning to embrace the “grow your own” hashtag, which the VI Department of Education hopes employees will utilize to advance their careers in education.

Governor Bryan, who once served as the Territory’s Commissioner of Labor, said one of the biggest hurdles for workers to surmount is certification. As future employment opportunities arise locally in diverse discipline, teaching is one of the core areas where workers will be able to advance.

“You have to have people dedicated to education,” Governor Bryan said. “You have to invest in yourself, find new training – we are doing this to make sure that you are ready.”

UVI Professors Karen H. Brown and Andrea Dorsey were among the core organizers of the Teacher Apprenticeship Program, along with Michelle Day of Equus Workforce Solutions, which will provide ongoing support.

The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov

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