Locals Missing Simple Jobs
Labour Commissioner Dexter Hastings told the BVI Chamber of Commerce in Virgin Gorda that many entry-level roles suitable for Virgin Islanders remain unfilled because people are not applying or lack basic qualifications. He proposed a hospitality training institution and urged improvements to certification access and government services to help residents take these jobs.
Labour Commissioner Dexter Hastings has expressed frustration that many entry-level jobs in the Territory go unfilled by Virgin Islanders despite being positions he believes locals can do. Speaking at a BVI Chamber of Commerce members’ meeting at Fischer’s Cove in Virgin Gorda on July 10, 2026, Hastings said he often approves permits for posts such as hotel receptionists, room attendants, assistant cooks and first mates on yachts, only to find few or no local applicants. "One of the most frustrating things as Labour Commissioner is, on a daily basis, approving entry-level jobs that I know Virgin Islanders are qualified to do, and they are not applying, or they are not qualified for simple little jobs," he told business leaders, government representatives and community stakeholders at the meeting.
Hastings flagged a practical barrier for jobs at sea: the lack of basic maritime certification. Many local job-seekers do not hold the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificate, which is often required for vessel crew and first-mate roles. He also said some residents do not view hospitality as a career entry point, limiting the local labour pool for hotels and guest services.
To address the gap, the Commissioner proposed establishing a dedicated hospitality training institution to provide practical skills and recognised certification that can feed directly into the tourism and yachting sectors. Such a programme, he argued, would create clearer pathways from entry-level work to longer-term careers in the Territory’s dominant industries.
The Chamber meeting highlighted additional issues affecting business operations on Virgin Gorda. Attendees raised the need for cross-training among government departments so residents and visitors can complete transactions more efficiently when staffing is limited. Businesses also pressed for updates to the Labour Management System (LMS): currently, job-seekers receive no automatic notifications when interviews or messages are posted, leading to missed opportunities.
The Labour Department acknowledged this feedback and said it is working on planned notification improvements. Entrepreneurs at the meeting also called for more accessible Trade Department grants and business-support programmes, saying current application processes are lengthy and resource-intensive for small operators.
The comments underline a broader challenge for the BVI: converting high tourism demand into reliable local employment. Improving certification access, targeted training and better government service delivery could help more Virgin Islanders fill available roles and strengthen the Territory’s workforce as tourism and yachting activity continue to grow.
Primary source: VINO