The government’s Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment and Development (RATED) programme has been launched and persons are being encouraged to submit applications.
This was confirmed in a media release from the Premier’s Office which said the programme is geared towards offering temporary employment relief and skills development to all interested persons.
“The RATED Programme seeks to provide three pathways for persons between the age of 18 to 65 who are unemployed or under-employed to obtain opportunities through short-term employment, apprenticeship and/or training, education and development, thereby, empowering them through work and training opportunities,” the Premier’s Office stated.
Speaking on the initiative recently, Premier Dr. The Honourable Natalio Wheatley said the programme was formulated to provide services to Virgin Islanders and Belongers within the community who are unemployed and underemployed.
He said, “The concept is providing individuals with training and apprenticeship opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills to become more marketable in the workplace. It also provides temporary employment opportunities in the public sector for activities like farming and beautification.”
Premier Wheatley also indicated that participants in the RATED Programme will also be provided with opportunities for self-development through life skills courses and access to motivational speakers.
Available opportunities
Persons with regular full-time employment are not permitted to enter the programme.
Some of the opportunities which will be available under the programme will include “landscaping, painting curbs, litter collection, bush cutting, ghut cleaning, construction, carpentry, electrician work, repairs to basketball courts and recreational spaces; and clerical work such as receptionist, data entry and digitising of paper files.
How to apply?
The registration form for the RATED Programme can be accessed on Government’s website or a physical copy can be collected either from the Premier’s Office which is located on the 2nd Floor of the Cutlass Tower in Road Town or from the District Offices on the Sister Islands.
Completed forms, inclusive of supporting documents, can be submitted via email at premieroffice@gov.vg or can be dropped off at the Premier’s Office or the respective Sister Islands District Offices.”