Let's Build VI Deadline Extended
The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and the Ministry of Education have extended the application deadline for the Let’s Build VI National Scholarship Programme to June 30, 2026. The move aims to boost participation across all nine electoral districts for 81 fully funded scholarships in hospitality, marine services and construction trades.
Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, has extended the application deadline for the Let’s Build VI National Scholarship Programme to June 30, 2026. Launched as a workforce development initiative, Let’s Build VI offers 81 fully funded scholarships—nine for each of the Territory’s nine electoral districts—distributed evenly across three career pathways: hospitality, marine services and construction trades.
The extension is intended to increase participation and make the opportunities more accessible to residents across the British Virgin Islands. Richard Georges described the programme as a long-term investment in local capacity. "Let’s Build VI is meant to equip Virgin Islanders to take up their rightful place in the sectors that drive our local economy—specifically hospitality, construction, and the marine industry," he said, noting that extending the deadline will help reach more people across the Territory.
Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie de Castro said the initiative responds to concerns that critical industry roles have too often been filled by workers from outside the Territory. "That must change," she said. "Let’s Build VI is about dignity, ownership, and leadership.
It ensures that when development happens in the Virgin Islands, our people are not watching it—we are leading it." Scholarship recipients will receive practical training and internationally recognised certifications designed to lead directly to employment. Hospitality students will follow the Les Roches Maître D Certificate Programme, focusing on service excellence for hotels, restaurants and resorts.
The marine pathway provides HLSCC’s Marine Professional Training (MPT) Level One, covering navigation, seamanship, safety and customer service for entry-level marine and yachting roles. Construction candidates begin with the NCCER Core Curriculum before moving into trades such as carpentry, plumbing and electrical work.
HLSCC Registrar Janice Dawson said outreach will increase during the extension to ensure applicants understand the programme and application process. The scholarships target skilled and unskilled workers, as well as unemployed and underemployed Virgin Islanders seeking to improve qualifications and employment prospects.
Eligibility requires applicants to be Virgin Islanders or Belongers aged 17 or older with a high school diploma, GED or demonstrable literacy and numeracy skills; those under 18 must provide parental or guardian consent. All shortlisted candidates will be interviewed before final selections.
Applications are open until June 30, 2026, and may be submitted via the Let’s Build VI online portal, by email, or delivered to the Department of Admissions and Enrolment Management at HLSCC’s Paraquita Bay campus.
Primary source: Guavaberry