General Manager of the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) Dr Neil M. Smith has said the BVIEC is the stability and future of the Virgin Islands’ (VI) economy. Photo: Faceboook

The BVIEC Career Expo attempted to showcase the skillsets of the BVIEC team that are essential for the operation of the BVIEC and the evolving nature of the traditional roles and skillsets that we currently have. Photo: Facebook

The BVIEC Career Expo was held on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the BVIEC Long Bush Compound. Photo: Facebook

Dr Smith was speaking at the opening ceremony of the BVIEC Career Expo on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the BVIEC Long Bush Compound.

The career expo attempted to showcase the skillsets of the BVIEC team that are essential for the operation of the BVIEC and the evolving nature of the traditional roles and skillsets that we currently have. It was held under the theme 'Driving Innovation and Excellence through a Dynamic and Inclusive Workforce'. 

“The BVI is headed full speed into the future, and it is something that we have to be very aware of as we prepare ourselves to do that,” Dr Smith said.

VI can’t function as a modern society without BVIEC's services- Dr Smith

Dr Smith added that the BVIEC is the Virgin Islands’ economy’s stability and future.

“Without BVIEC, without the energy that we produce, it’s not possible to provide modern medical care, it’s not possible to run our schools, and we are not able to function as a modern society,” he said

The services of the BVIEC he continued is necessary for the basis of technological advancement and current and future economic development.

“So, with this responsibility we must recognise that the world is changing and that excellence in the future demands investment today,” Dr Smith stated.

The BVIEC’s vision is to be a centre of excellence in the production and distribution of reliable and affordable clean energy demands he said continuing, “Now that we have a carefully crafted vision and tat we invest in our people and our future today.”

Nation builders needed at BVIEC

Dr Smith said the type of employees needed to maintain BVIEC’s grid, which is necessary for the VI to achieve its true potential as a “great little nation” is rooted in the type of people invested in today.

“We are no longer looking for individuals that are concerned with merely doing a job but instead we are looking for nation builders who understand that excellence in the career path that they’ve chosen, in this field of energy production, transmission and distribution is an integral building block and fundamental component of the quality of life of their family, of their friends and of themselves,” he explained.

Employees of BVIEC he added are now understanding that in an organisation such as the BVIEC roles of a boss and employee are less historical and instead are more of a partnership, each with different roles to play.

“Mutual respect is mandated and efficiency and effectiveness in execution of one’s role in that organisation is not only expected but is mandated,” Dr Smith said.