Speaking in the House of Assembly recently, the Education Minister indicated that some of the young men and women are not equipped to enter the work force just yet, and highlighted the measures that will be undertaken for them to be made "work ready".

“Madam Speaker, we know that some of these young people are not work ready and we plan to take them through a readiness programme, which will look at areas such as work ethic, basic skills necessary for the workplace, writing letters of application, interview skills and so on. Madam Speaker, this work is expected to begin early in January. Following this Madam Speaker, the plan is to approach the employers, hold a job fair and allow the young people who have gone through the training to present themselves for interviews,” he told members of the House.

The YUR, which began on November 30 and ended December 14, attracted 470 applicants, Hon. Walwyn revealed. It is one of his first initiatives to help unemployed youths of the Virgin Islands.

However, the figure, the Minister noted is quite alarming and said that the number “does not include those who are incarcerated that will need our assistance to get them back on the right path upon their release.”