Two First District youth Mr. Adrian Stoutt (left) and Mr. Kurt Esprit are members of the first cohort of First District Youth that completed the first leg of Marine Courses of Study at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. Photo: Provided

Sponsor of the initiative First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie told this news site that the second cohort of First District youth has started the programme. Photo: VINO/File

Kurt Esprit, one of the two who comprised the first cohort to receive the training. Photo: Provided

Adrian Stoutt, the other First District youth in the first cohort who received marine training from HLSCC. Photo: Provided

Sponsor of the initiative, First District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie told this news site that the second cohort of First District youth has started the programme.

“We expect the same level of success that was achieved by the first cohort. Through this initiative our First District youth that participate in this initiative will become certified and qualified in different areas of the Marine Industry. I pray that each District will follow this model so that our people can take their rightful place in our Marine industry seeing that we are totally surrounded by what I term the Virgin Islands' liquid gold, our sea waters,” he said.

According to the First District Representative, the mission of preparing the territory's youth for the future, continues to be one of his main driving forces as First District Representative.

“The most precious natural resource any country has is its people. We must invest in them so that they can not just survive but thrive in their own country economically and in every respect.”

He said this achievement is the first step in certifying and qualifying persons as captains among other areas in the Marine Industry and added that the young men will now continue to move towards the next level - CBM Caribbean Boat Masters.

According to Honourable Fahie, Adrian Stoutt and Kurt Esprit expressed their thanks for the opportunity and for persons believing in them and investing in their future.

He said they hope that each District Representative will follow this lead so that the many young men who love being on the sea can become professionally trained, qualified and certified in the different areas of the Marine Industry.

“They also hope that this will allow doors of opportunity to open where they can form companies and be allowed to become entrepreneurs in this industry.

Honourable Fahie also thanked the people of the First District for their continued support in his efforts in developing the country through the development of the people.