Six students from Elmore Stoutt High School recently got a rare, hands-on look at the inner workings of the British Virgin Islands Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) through the company’s first-ever Job Training Mentorship Programme — and both the students and their mentors are calling it a major success.

The two-week initiative, which ran from March 31 to April 11, gave Grade 11 students a chance to work closely with experienced BVIEC staff across several departments, from engineering and planning to finance and customer service.

“This was more than just job shadowing,” said Tamara George-Barry, the manager of People, Culture and Talent Services at BVIEC and the driving force behind the programme. “We wanted to provide real mentorship and give these young people meaningful exposure to the energy industry.”

The first group of student participants included Michael-Anson Findlay, Kerdella Carter, Caheem Henry, Kh’Mouri Anthony, Ranaldo Francis, and Amari Johnson. Each student was paired with a mentor in one of BVIEC’s core departments.

Three of the students — Findlay, Henry, and Johnson — worked in the Transmission and Distribution Department, where they learned about power lines, metering, cable jointing, and system planning. Anthony and Francis were based in the Generation Department, where they got up close with the mechanical and electrical side of power production. Carter, the group’s only finance trainee, explored customer service, billing, and accounts payable in the Finance Department.

At the end of the programme, the students gave presentations on what they’d learned to an audience that included their mentors, senior management, and other BVIEC staff. It was a proud moment for everyone involved.

Several students were also recognized for their standout contributions. Anthony and Francis took home the “Photo Challenge” award for their creative documentation of their time in the Generation Department. Findlay was named “Best Presenter,” and Henry received the “Most Improved” award for completing and submitting his project early, even though he was unable to attend the final presentations due to illness.

All six students received certificates of completion.

George-Barry said the idea for the programme came after conversations with guidance counselors and families at ESHS. “We wanted to make sure that when students come to BVIEC for job training, they’re not just sitting at a desk. They’re learning, asking questions, and getting inspired,” she said.

Before starting, the students went through a full orientation that covered BVIEC’s mission, values, safety protocols, and what to expect during their placements.

“This first group set the bar high,” George-Barry added. “We’re incredibly proud of them, and we can’t wait to grow the programme in the future.”

BVIEC’s new mentorship initiative is part of a wider effort to invest in the BVI’s future workforce and inspire young minds to consider careers in energy, engineering, and public service.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development has announced the reopening of several community centers across the Virgin Islands, offering residents renewed access to public spaces for social, cultural, and educational events.

The Long Trench Community Centre, Emile Dunlop Community Centre on Anegada, and the Christiana Gertrude Warner Community Centre in Purcell Estate are now fully operational and available for a variety of approved activities. These include meetings, workshops, religious services, weddings, receptions, camps, and other community gatherings in accordance with government guidelines.

“Community centres are vital spaces for bringing people together, fostering social connection, and supporting local development,” said Tasha Bertie, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development. “We are pleased to see so many of these hubs becoming active again, and we appreciate the public’s patience as we finalise arrangements for others.”

Although repairs have been completed at the East End/Long Look and Cane Garden Bay community centres, the Ministry is still working through additional administrative and operational procedures to ensure a safe and sustainable reopening. Updates on their availability are expected in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, some centers are offering limited access. The West End Community Centre is currently shared with the Carrot Bay Senior Programme and can accommodate small-scale events of up to 75 people. Similarly, the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre in Sea Cows Bay continues to house the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre during school hours and is available for limited use outside of those times, with a capacity of up to 50 persons, subject to approval.

All facility bookings must be processed through the Social Development Department and adhere to the official Community Centre guidelines. Key policies include:

• No decorations may be affixed to walls with tape, staples, or adhesives.

• Facilities are non-smoking and may host multiple groups at once.

• Bookings are not confirmed until a rental contract is signed and a deposit is received.

• Exclusive use is only guaranteed when the entire facility is rented.

• Events must remain within designated rental spaces, and noise should be kept to a moderate level.

• All trash must be properly removed from the premises.

• Controlled substances, gum, and candy are not permitted.

• Vendors must remain outside the centre’s gates.

• Facilities must be returned in their original condition, and keys returned by 9:00 a.m. the next business day. Lost or misused keys will incur a $100 replacement fee.

Failure to comply with these regulations may result in additional charges or a loss of rental privileges.

To reserve a facility, residents are encouraged to contact the Social Development Department at (284) 468-3636. Rental rates vary depending on the location and type of event.

The Ministry emphasized its ongoing commitment to fostering community engagement and enhancing the social and health infrastructure across the Territory.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) carried out a series of high-impact operations in the first quarter of 2025, resulting in significant seizures of illegal drugs, firearms, and ammunition. The enforcement actions, part of a broader crackdown on criminal activity, reflect stepped-up efforts to disrupt narcotics distribution and remove unlicensed weapons from the streets.

The operations are part of intensified efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and remove unlicensed weapons from circulation.

Between January and March, RVIPF officers confiscated more than 12 kilograms of cannabis, 2,900 mature cannabis plants, and 2,447 seedlings. The seizures are part of an ongoing initiative to dismantle local drug distribution networks and reduce the availability of illicit substances across the islands.

In parallel with drug enforcement operations, police also recovered seven pistols and two rifles—exceeding the number of firearms seized during the same period in 2024. Ammunition confiscations more than doubled, rising from 152 rounds in early 2024 to 389 rounds in the first three months of this year.

Authorities noted a high charge rate in possession cases, underscoring what the RVIPF described as a continued zero-tolerance policy toward illegal weaponry. The enforcement activity is supported by intelligence-led policing and strengthened community cooperation.

“These results reflect the success of targeted enforcement strategies and community partnerships,” the RVIPF said in a statement accompanying the release of the data.

The figures were published alongside broader crime statistics indicating that serious criminal offenses, including assaults, sexual offenses, and burglaries, have reached their lowest first-quarter levels in five years. Police attributed the overall decline to coordinated operations and increased public engagement.

The RVIPF has committed to maintaining its current pace of enforcement through the remainder of the year.