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RATED programme to undergo review

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has announced that while the RATED programme has achieved commendable successes, there are areas that require improvement. Photo:Internet Source
RATED is a government initiative aimed at providing temporary jobs, apprenticeships, and skills training for unemployed or underemployed residents. Photo:VINO/FILE
RATED is a government initiative aimed at providing temporary jobs, apprenticeships, and skills training for unemployed or underemployed residents. Photo:VINO/FILE
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has announced that while the Registration, Apprenticeship, Training, Employment, and Development (RATED) programme has achieved commendable successes, there are areas that require improvement.

RATED is a government initiative aimed at providing temporary jobs, apprenticeships, and skills training for unemployed or underemployed residents.

During the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands on Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Premier noted, "In 2025, three million dollars was allocated to the RATED programme to cover payments to the participants, training, and contributions to Social Security, NHI, and payroll tax.’’

The Minister of Finance also reported that out of the 419 applications received, 318 individuals were assisted, and of those, 297 were placed in temporary employment for roadside cleaning, and 11 participated as apprentices. Additionally, 21 apprentices received training.

Benefits of the programme

The benefits of the programme have been highlighted through several achievements, including: 

  1. Numerous participants gained practical work experience, which has improved their skills, confidence, and employability.
  2. Some participants have qualified for and secured full-time positions within various Ministries and Departments, with nine individuals transitioning to permanent employment after their participation in the program.
  3. Twenty-one young participants benefited from a job-readiness training session delivered in partnership with HireBVI.

Areas for improvements 

"While these achievements are commendable, there are areas for improvement, which are being addressed through updating the programme’s mandate, amendments to the policy, instituting accountability, safety and performance evaluation mechanisms, improvement in the financial processes, increased public outreach, closer collaboration with partners/stakeholders, etc.’’ the Premier added. 

Looking ahead, the government plans to expand the program into additional sectors, including agriculture, technology, marine services, hospitality, construction, utilities, and landscaping, to create broader pathways for employment and skills development across the Territory.

"We are also engaging professionals to better assess the capabilities, interests and developmental needs of applicants to offer them more tailored and individualised assistance to fulfilling their career and personal aspirations."

17 Responses to “RATED programme to undergo review”

  • resident (17/01/2026, 12:23) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whoever responsible for cutting/trimming Beef Island road need to get on it. You could hide in the grass now. Shame on us!
  • From bad to worst....COI made a mess (17/01/2026, 12:37) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Same set ah man working all the time
    • Correction (17/01/2026, 14:48) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      That what public works there for
    • Yow (18/01/2026, 06:40) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
      That's because alot of man don't want to do the hard work.it takes, if only you know how much man does walk off after a few days, cutting the road side in that hot sun ain't for the weak!
      • @YOW (18/01/2026, 10:10) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        The main reason they walk off is because the government takes too long to pay. My brother was in the cohort that started October and ended on 6th December and only got paid for his first 2 weeks on 7th December. Up to Friday he checked Treasury for his final week's check and it still wasn't ready and they expressed that they are not certain when it will be ready. That's totally unacceptable because these men are working to pay bills and take care of their families. So many of them quit or skip days because of their dissatisfaction with being paid one-time. That's not a way to encourage people to be in a program that was designed to help those in hardship because it's even more difficult to not be paid in a timely manner.
        • Yow (18/01/2026, 19:39) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
          I'm with you on that,, was not aware of the long wait for pay, not right at all!
        • @@YOW (19/01/2026, 11:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          good you all know how long it taking, so you all don't go around saying Mather because he met it. this premier and his full-time consultant who getting paid on our tax money, think he smart but there are smarter ones out here.
  • Agreeable One (17/01/2026, 13:33) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    This is a good initiative Premier, we MUST provide every opportunity for the citizens of the Virgin Islands to find success in their own country. We must get all the relevant institutions in order even as we begin the discussion of independence. We need this program to be successful. Wishing the best!
  • @Agreeable One (17/01/2026, 18:10) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bush cutting is not a new initiative to any Government.
    • Agreeable One (18/01/2026, 15:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Evidently you have absolutely no idea what RATED is about. Please learn what each letter stands for. It is a whole lot more than cutting bush!
      • @Agreeable One (19/01/2026, 11:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        let me rephrase that. The bush cutting RATED initiative that is currently being executed under the VIP administration is not a new initiative.
      • @Agreeable One (19/01/2026, 11:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        History history history. maybe you should research
  • the rock (18/01/2026, 06:38) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    The bush cutting program is an important one, please assist the groups with blowers, one should be assigned too the supervisors!
  • BuzzBvi (18/01/2026, 08:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    RATED. Zero.

  • hmm (18/01/2026, 11:40) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    The progamme should be under the Labour department
  • ramoi99 (19/01/2026, 07:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    At any time, you can start over. Life is merely the passing of time, and you may choose how you use it wordle hint.


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