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#3022 Estate Golden Rock - Christiansted St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 00820 Office: (340) 712-2256 | senatorkurtvialet@legvi.org 36th Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands Committee on Education and Workforce Development Memorandum TO: Mrs. Kurell A. Sheridan, JD Executive Director 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands FROM: The Honorable Kurt A. Vialet ___________________ Chairman, Committee on Education & Workforce Development DATE: March 10, 2025 RE: Committee Report for Friday, March 7, 2025 Meeting ___________________________________________________________ Please find attached the report for the Committee on Education and Workforce Development (EWD) meeting held on Friday, March 7, 2025, in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room, St. Croix. cc: All Senators Chief Legal Counsel Archive Division Journal Division MEMBERS Senator Kurt A. Vialet Chairman senatorkurtvialet@legvi.org (340) 712-2256 Senator Avery L. Lewis Vice Chair senatoraverylewis@legvi.org (340) 774-0880 ext. 3512 Senator Dwayne M. DeGraff ddegraff@legvi.org (340) 774-0880 ext. 3606 Senator Kenneth L. Gittens senatorgittens@legvi.org (340) 773-2424 ext. 2243 Senator Marise C. James mcjames@legvi.org (340) 773-2424 ext. 2303 Senator Carla Joseph senatorcarlajoseph@legvi.org (340) 774-0880 ext. 3515 2 C&EWD Agenda 03.07.2025 EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MARCH 7, 2025 - COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT The Committee on Education and Workforce Development convened its meeting on Friday, March 7, 2025, in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room, St. Croix. Call to order: Chairman, Senator Kurt A. Vialet called the meeting to order at 10:32 a.m. Committee Members Present: Committee Members Absent: Senator Kurt A. Vialet Senator Avery L. Lewis – excused Senator Marise C. James Senator Dwayne M. DeGraff Non-Committee Members Present: Senator Franklin D. Johnson Senator Hubert L. Fredericks Senator Kenneth L. Gittens Senator Clifford A. Joseph, Sr. Senator Carla J. Joseph Senator Marvin Blyden Committee Staff: Clerk/Timekeeper: Gloryvee Christian-Krieger, Chief of Staff Janella John, Communications Manager Samanta Prentice, Legislative Researcher Protocol officer: Sergeant-At-Arms: Myrna De-Altier-Pickard Walton Jack, Jr./ Dequan Bondieumaitre Public Affairs/ Media: Legal Counsel: Eustace Brown Not Assigned Alwyn Baptiste, Jr. Alvin Burke Legislative Reporters: Bernard Matthew, Sr. Part I - Joanne Samuel Diana Cruz Part II - Nataya Munoz Chaunte Herbert Part III - Nadine Williams Omari Hicks Part IV - Vashti Gerald-Berry Kashief Hamilton Part V – Joanne Samuel The Committee on Education and Workforce Development received testimonies: BLOCK I Honorable Gary Molloy, Commissioner of the Department of Labor, provided an update on the status of workforce development programs aligning with key industries such as construction, technology, and healthcare. He detailed the allocation of local and federal funds for workforce development, including the number of individuals served. Additionally, he shared progress on the Youth and Apprenticeship Program, highlighting participating service providers, individuals served, and a financial breakdown of expenditures. Commissioner Molloy also addressed the status of the Summer Youth Work Experience Program and the overall impact of the Youth Team, 3 C&EWD Agenda 03.07.2025 including the number of youths served, completed academic and career assessments, and service referrals. BLOCK II Testifiers, Chrystie Payne, Program Director/Development Director of My Brother’s Workshop; Frandelle Gerard, Executive Director of Crucian Heritage & Nature Tourism; and Dr. Suzanne Darrow-Magras, Director of the University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (UVI CELL), provided an overview of their organizations’ missions and programs, highlighting their commitment to workforce development and community empowerment. They discussed key workforce development initiatives, emphasizing the educational and training opportunities offered to equip individuals with essential skills. Collaborations with schools, colleges, and vocational programs were showcased as critical components in strengthening career pathways. Success stories demonstrated the positive community impact of these initiatives, illustrating how individuals have benefited from tailored training and mentorship. Additionally, the testifiers addressed ongoing barriers and challenges to workforce development, including funding constraints, accessibility issues, and industry-specific workforce gaps. COMMITTEE REQUESTS: Block 1- Department of Labor 1. A detailed breakdown of individuals served, including relevant demographic data. 2. An overview of skills covered in the Today Program, including participant progress and outcomes. 3. Data on clients served who receive childcare benefits. 4. Updates on program registration, including current enrollment numbers. 5. A current list of training providers eligible for program participation. 6. A breakdown of inmates seeking certification, including program participation and associated industry sectors. 7. A summary of federal funding allocations related to these initiatives. 8. Number of individuals referred by DHS. Of that number, how many received training or gained employment. Block 2- My Brother’s Workshop 1. Total enrollment by district 2. Enrollment breakdown by trade per district Adjournment: Chairman, Senator Kurt A. Vialet adjourned the Committee on Education and Workforce Development hearing at 4:08 p.m.