The Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation is pleased to announce the launch of a nationwide outreach campaign under the Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment and Development (RATED) Programme.

The registration drive themed "On the Road to Your District: Bringing Opportunities Closer to You!", the campaign begun today, Monday, July 14th, 2025. It is aim is to connect eligible candidates to employment, training, and development opportunities within their communities.

This community-focused campaign is expected to educate the public about the offerings of the RATED Programme and gather insights into the residents' training needs and career interests. Areas of focus include:

1. Marine/Yachting
2. Communications and Public Relations
3. Administrative and Clerical Services
4. Data Entry and Digitisation
5. Culinary Arts, Hospitality, and Tourism
6. Legal and Professional Services
7. Goods and Services
8. Janitorial Services and more.

 Premier and Minister for Labour, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, expressed strong support for the initiative, stating, "I am happy to see this initiative take place, so eligible persons can apply and benefit from what RATED offers. I want to take the opportunity to encourage people to register and participate in the programme. The RATED Programme is more than an opportunity to get a few dollars through a bush cutting job. It is a gateway for persons of all ages to get trained or re-trained in many professional areas. The RATED Programme is the perfect tool to empower our young people, and others, to choose a career path and learn about it while receiving valuable training."

Persons interested in applying are encouraged to complete the application form, which is available at www.gov.vg. Completed forms, along with a résumé, should be submitted via email to: getratedgbvi@gov.vg.

The RATED Programme is designed to serve individuals aged 18 to 70 who are currently unemployed, offering three main pathways to empowerment:

• Short-term employment
• Apprenticeship and/or training
• Education and development

Through these avenues, the Government aims to foster greater economic participation and build a more skilled and resilient workforce across the Virgin Islands.