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New MC&W rule: Contractors must hire apprentices!

March 11th, 2012 | Tags: Local contractors Mark Vanterpool apprentices hire
Vanterpool speaking at the contract signing on March 8, 2012. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Communications and Works Ministry will make it mandatory for contractors hired to execute large scale projects, to employ young men as apprentices, stated Hon. Mark Vanterpool, the subject Minister, at a sewerage contract signing on March 8, 2012 at the Administrative Complex.

“What we intend to do as a Ministry is attach an addendum to contracts where the contractors would sign an agreement and based on the size of the contract, hire a number of apprentices,” the Minister told members of the media.

According to the Minister, apprentices are also currently attached to the Water and Sewerage (W&SD) and Public Works departments, and that acting Deputy Director of W&SD Bernard Grant is responsible for the apprentices of both departments.

The Minister added that the apprentices’ performances will be evaluated by the Ministry’s Human Resources Department at the end of three months to ascertain who will be employed permanently.

Of the 62 apprentices that reported to work on March 1, 2012, 51 were assigned to the ministry’s departments and units, with the remainder employed by statutory bodies.

The apprenticeship programme is the brain child of Hon. Vanterpool as part of his commitment to support the Ministry of Education and Culture’s Youth Unemployment Initiative and his desire to provide opportunities for the Territory’s young people in developing their knowledge and skills, thereby making them more marketable in their quest for employment.

14 Responses to “New MC&W rule: Contractors must hire apprentices! ”

  • good to great (11/03/2012, 08:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good programe mark
  • critic (11/03/2012, 08:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    from cronism to communism
    • Plain (11/03/2012, 11:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      LMAO It burns you to see that you have nothing to say against such a good initiative. Instead of being a big person and applauding this, you come up with that nonsense. You were on here saying NDP is only for biggers, supporters and this and that, now they introduce something to benefit our youth, get them employed, making their own money while learning a trade, and you still upset? LOL!
      • George W. Tush (11/03/2012, 14:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        well saw "critic" girl you got them NDP paid bloggers upset...they need an apple a day to keep you away.
        • rat tail (11/03/2012, 15:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          tis seem like evy body obsess with crank sharf, real talk and critic me ting dem tis all dey same person...do your do Mark
  • same old story (11/03/2012, 11:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    lawdy ah mussy the li lil contract dem so small we aint meking no $$$ now we got to hire extra people wah ah ting!
    • @ Same old (11/03/2012, 13:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Look at it this way, it is the same BVI workers you were supposed to hire in the first place. Since you were not willing to do it on your own, now the gommint has to force you. You have not business asking for public contracts when you don't support the public youth. I never would have believed I would be a cheerleader for any party but GO NDP!
  • WTF (11/03/2012, 13:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    FANTASTIC this is the way forward, also lets gives the employers a chance to see who is there to work and those who are not.
    • yellow (11/03/2012, 15:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I have nothing against the programm once the money to pay the praterships not coming out of the contract
  • E. Leonard (11/03/2012, 17:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    A contract is a bilateral agreement between two parties, the contracting officer and the contractor. In this case the government is the contracting officer(customer). The government) outlines the terms, conditions, plans and specifications for the goods or services being procured. And any contractor(s) that feels that they cannot meet the requirements for providing the goods or services should not bid on the contract. This approach is fair and reasonable provided that the process does restrict any contractor from bidding on any contract. This is a method that is employed by other public agencies elsewhere to ensure that disadvantage group(s) share in the expenditure of public funds. Young workers are a disadvantage group. They are coming into the world of work with little or no skills. As such, they need an opportunity to transition from low/no skill to skilled. Skilled workers enhances national productivity and economic growth. Further, investing in human capital(local people) is a worthwhile investment with a high positive return on investment. But like any other decision, the apprentice programme comes with both a benefit and a cost. In this case the marginal benefit outweighs the marginal cost. The cost of government contracts will increase. When contractors bid on a contract, they bid based on known performance standards for putting work in place or performing services. Employing apprentices will increase project completion timeline, reduce productivity, increase rework, or increase supervision and inspection. These are additional work processes that result in additional costs that the contractors would not have had if they were allowed to deliver the goods or services with seasoned and experienced workers. Nonetheless, these additional costs are worth the investment. It is investment in human capital that fuels economic growth. How will this apprentice programme work? One short stint with a contractor will not transform an apprentice into a skilled craftsman. Learning a craft takes time and consistent teaching under the same person. Perhaps the following process is already being done. But it will probably be more effective if the apprentices went to HLSCC or elsewhere for the theoretical knowledge and then team up with local contractors for the hands-on field experience.Construction theory followed by practical is a tried and true business model for apprentice training. Nonetheless, this is a good move in improving the current job skill set requirements mismatch among young workers.
  • Say what! (11/03/2012, 18:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What in the world is going on in Tortola?
  • observer (12/03/2012, 08:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a good initiative. It is an investment in young persons which hopefully will lead to them gaining the experience and skills to become employable. The costs of the program should be shared between the employers and the government. Other Caribbean countries have an OTJ budget to cover this kind of thing. This is a good move by the Government.
    • Diaspora (13/03/2012, 00:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      True, this programme invests in locals to enhance their skills. Enhancing their skills is in the national interest. Nevertheless, the cost should be borne by government. It would be wonderful if employers show corporate or sicial responsibility by giving back to the territory. But this social responsibility has to come from the heart and voluntary. Overall, the programme is a good step in building a skills bank.


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