Rated Programme Employs Nearly 300 Islanders
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley says the government’s RATED programme provided employment to close to 300 Virgin Islanders in 2025 at a cost of $1.85 million so far. The administration plans to expand RATED with more apprenticeships, sectoral training and life-skills development to help participants transition into long-term jobs.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has announced that the government’s RATED programme helped secure employment for close to 300 Virgin Islanders in 2025, at a reported cost of $1.85 million to date. Launched in 2023 under the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, RATED (Registration Apprenticeship Training Employment and Development) offers short-term employment and targeted professional development for unemployed and under-employed residents.
The scheme is designed to provide hands-on experience while addressing gaps in workforce readiness across the territory. Speaking at a recent press briefing, Dr Wheatley said the programme will expand to cover "a wide range of sectors" and will include "apprenticeships and training and skills development, soft and life skills training to get people into the mainstream workforce." He described RATED as a central pillar of his administration’s strategy to reduce unemployment and strengthen the local labour pool.
The Premier commended the Department of Labour and Workforce Development for its role in upskilling participants and facilitating placements. Officials say the aim is not only to provide short-term work but to create pathways into long-term positions by equipping participants with practical experience and marketable skills.
RATED is part of a broader government effort to support economic recovery following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and recent global inflationary pressures. The programme is intended to complement other measures in the 2026 government budget, which Dr Wheatley says include provisions for social assistance, agriculture and employment initiatives aimed at "building a sustainable nation." Opposition critics have argued the budget lacks sufficient focus on everyday "bread-and-butter" issues.
Supporters of RATED maintain that investing in training and apprenticeships will deliver longer-term benefits by reducing dependency on short-term support and creating a more resilient, skilled workforce. For residents, the immediate impact is practical: paid placements, on-the-job training and a clearer route to permanent employment.
Government officials have indicated RATED will continue to evolve, with expanded sectoral coverage and deeper partnerships between training providers, employers and the Department of Labour to ensure more Virgin Islanders can transition from temporary roles into stable careers. The Premier framed RATED as an example of the administrations commitment to "investing in our people," stressing that ongoing monitoring and program adjustments will be needed to maximise outcomes for participants and the territory as a whole.
Primary source: BVI News