The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports is observing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Week 2026 under the theme, “TVET: The Future of the VI — Together We Learn! Together We Earn!,” with Education Minister Sharie B. de Castro describing skills-based education as central to the British Virgin Islands’ economic development and workforce readiness.

The weeklong observance is intended to highlight the role of technical and vocational education in preparing students with practical skills and industry-recognized certifications in fields such as sustainable energy, cosmetology, marine technology and culinary arts.

In a statement marking the occasion, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro, Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, said TVET should be viewed as a primary pathway to success rather than an alternative to traditional academic programs.

“Technical and Vocational Education and Training is not a Plan B,” de Castro said. “It is our Plan A for a resilient, self-sufficient Virgin Islands.”

She said the territory is strengthening partnerships between schools and employers to better align classroom instruction with labor market needs.

“When we say ‘Together We Learn,’ we are talking about a new era of partnership,” de Castro said. “We are bridging the gap between the classroom and the job site.”

The minister said investment in TVET is also intended to expand economic opportunities by equipping students to enter the workforce or start their own businesses.

“By investing in TVET, we are creating a workforce that doesn’t just look for jobs, but creates them,” she said.

De Castro encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities offered through technical and vocational programs.

“You are the architects of our future,” she said. “Your hands and your minds will build the infrastructure and industries of tomorrow.”

TVET Week 2026 includes activities aimed at promoting technical and vocational education as a key component of the territory’s long-term development strategy

The Government of the Virgin Islands has signed agreements to begin the design phase for student dormitories at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, a project aimed at expanding access to higher education for students across the territory.

The Memorandum of Understanding and Deed of Contribution, signed on Tuesday, April 14, between the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and the Recovery and Development Agency, mark the start of work toward developing on-campus housing at the Paraquita Bay campus.

Officials said the dormitories are expected to address longstanding challenges faced by students from Anegada, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda, who often encounter higher costs and logistical difficulties due to travel and accommodation limitations.

“For many years, students from Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, and Virgin Gorda have faced additional hurdles simply because of geography,” Premier Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley said. “With the construction of these dormitories, we will remove one of the most persistent barriers to higher education for our own people.”

The project is intended to make it easier for students throughout the Virgin Islands to pursue tertiary and post-secondary education locally, reducing the need to relocate or manage extended commutes.

Officials said the development has long been part of the college’s master plan and represents a step toward strengthening the territory’s education system.

The dormitories are also expected to accommodate students from outside the territory, supporting broader efforts to expand educational opportunities and diversify the economy.

The Recovery and Development Agency is overseeing the project, with the design phase to be followed by construction.