Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said persons have been engaged, while gaining work experience and exposure to the work force via the RATED Programme. Photo: GIS/File

A total of 721 applications were received representing various areas of interest in the Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment and Development (RATED) Programme, which exposes employment opportunities with a number of ministries and departments in the Public Service. Photo: GIS

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) during the Fifth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Photo: YouTube

This was disclosed by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) during the Fifth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

Benefits of RATED Programme

Premier Wheatley also added that persons have been engaged, while gaining work experience and exposure to the workforce. He said each apprentice engaged had the opportunity to participate on a full-time basis, should there be the prospect of doing so within the ministry or department.

“The short-term assignment allows for the necessary exposure to employment opportunities with a number of ministries and departments in the Public Service.”

According to a press release from Government Information Services (GIS) on November 3, 2023, persons were placed at the Premier’s Office, Ministry of Health and Social Development, Virgin Islands Trade Commission, Department of Information and Public Relations, Civil Registry and Passport Office, Virgin Islands Shipping Registry, Immigration Department, just to name a few.

To date there were a total of 53 apprentices in the areas of administration, customer service, data entry and sanitation, GIS stated.

‘Prove yourself to that prospective employer’- Premier

Premier Wheatley further added, “As our tagline states, ‘The RATED programme is changing lives, enhancing skills and developing future entrepreneurs one person at a time.’ This is why, I encourage interested persons to apply to RATED, as this programme could be your opportunity to get your feet in the door, as it were, and prove yourself to that prospective employer.”

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.

Persons may apply by completing the application form, which can be found at www.gov.vg along with their resume’ and email to Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change at nrl@gov.vg.

The RATED Programme marked its first anniversary on November 4, 2023.