Ehrlc Work Programme Empowers Senior Students
Senior students at the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre are gaining hands-on job experience through a structured, counsellor-led Work Programme. The three-year-old initiative helps students build practical skills, confidence, and independence as they prepare for life after graduation.
Senior students at the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre (EHRLC) are gaining essential life and employment skills through an ongoing, structured Work Programme designed to foster independence and career readiness. Now in its third year, the initiative connects senior students with supervised workplace placements tailored to their unique strengths and interests.
Participants currently work two days per week, with their hours gradually increasing as they approach graduation to mirror the demands of a standard work schedule. The programme highlights the vital role school counsellors play beyond conventional classroom guidance. Led by School Counsellor Tarriesha Dawson, the initiative focuses on transition planning, career exposure, and real-world skill development.
Dawson collaborates closely with educators, administrators, families, and local employers to monitor student progress and ensure placements align with individualized development plans. Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro, recently underscored the value of counselling services across the Territory's education system, noting that academic success is only one component of a student's journey.
She stated that behind every confident and resilient learner who overcomes challenges, there is dedicated guidance and support. Currently, senior students Alisha McDonald and Raneah Salmon are participating in the programme as Teacher Assistants. McDonald is completing her placement at Frangipani Academy Simmonds Preschool in Lower Estate, while Salmon is gaining practical experience at Little Lighthouse Child Developmental Centre in Sea Cow's Bay.
Both students are actively building workplace competencies and self-esteem through their day-to-day duties. According to Dawson, the strengths-based initiative bridges the gap between classroom theory and community life. By engaging with local employers and support systems across the Virgin Islands, the EHRLC Work Programme continues to help students transition smoothly from learning to living, unlocking their full potential for the future.
Primary source: BVI Government