Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has said his government is taking steps to address a persistent skills gap in the Virgin Islands, even as the territory’s economy continues to grow.
Premier Wheatley acknowledged that while the economy is producing jobs, some residents remain unable to access opportunities due to a mismatch between available skills and labour market demands.
“We don’t have enough labour in the Virgin Islands. But there is a skills gap that exists among some persons who might have been schooled here in the Virgin Islands,” Dr Wheatley said during a recent airing of the Virgin Islands Voice.
He explained that the issue is not necessarily a reflection of a weak economy, noting that the territory continues to import labour to meet demand in key sectors such as financial services and tourism.
“The level of unemployment is not necessarily a reflection of the fact that your economy is not working. Because our economy produces a lot of jobs,” Premier Wheatley said.
To address the gap, the Premier pointed to several government initiatives focused on training and workforce development. These include programmes at the Labour Department, as well as efforts through the H Lavity Stoutt Community College and other educational institutions.
“That’s some of the challenges that we have to address, that we’re seeking to address with things like the RATED programme… and some of the things that they’re doing,” Premier Wheatley stated.
The comments come against the backdrop of continued economic expansion in the territory. Government officials noted that revenue performance has remained strong, supported by financial services and tourism, with record visitor arrivals and consistent income growth in recent years.
However, Dr Wheatley warned that growth alone will not resolve workforce challenges unless targeted interventions are made to equip residents with relevant skills.
The Premier also linked the skills gap to broader economic pressures, including inflation and the territory’s reliance on imported goods, which continue to affect household spending power.
He said the government is pursuing a multi-pronged approach that includes training, economic diversification and efforts to retain more economic activity locally.
Despite ongoing challenges, Dr Wheatley maintained that the Virgin Islands is on a positive trajectory, but emphasised that closing the skills gap remains critical to ensuring residents fully benefit from economic opportunities.
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