>>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX OR STAFF.

>>> INC. YOU FOR JOINING US FOR ANOTHER EPISODE OF RECOVERY IN FOCUS AND I AM ADRIENNE WILLIAMS- OCTALIEN.

SINCE THE 2017 STORMS, THE TERRITORY HAS ENDURED MULTIPLE INITIATIVES TO ATTEND WITH CAPACITY ISSUES WHILE RECONSTRUCTING AFTER IRMA AND MARIA AND THEY ARE POISED TO RECEIVE UPWARDS OF $15 MILLION TO FULLY RECOVER FROM THE DAMAGE AND THIS IS NEARLY 3 TIMES THE TERRITORY´S ANNUAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT BEFORE THE ONSET OF THE RECOVERY.

TO ACCOMPLISH THIS WE NEED WORKERS AND WE WILL ASSESS HOW THE PARTNERS BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ARE MOVING TO FILL THE SHORTFALL AND FIRST HERE IS MOST RECENT MOVE THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.

>>> ON ST. CROIX, A 17,000 $1400 RECOVERY PROJECT FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONTRACTOR HAS CONSTRUCTION AND IT IS 75% COMPLETE FOR REPAIRS TO THE BUILDING ON SAINT TROY AND SO FAR DEMOLITION OF THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR AND FLOORING AS WELL AS THE THE END OF THE YEAR THE FURNITURE, FIXTURES, EQUIPMENT AND PLAYGROUND WILL BE DONE AND THERE IS RESILIENCY UTILIZING A $213,000 GRANT WITH THE GRANT PROGRAM AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND IMPACT RESISTANT WINDOWS AND DOORS WERE INSTALLED AND OTHER THINGS AND THIS COMPLETION IS EXPECTED IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2024.

>> THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WATER AND POWER GENERATION PROJECT WENT THROUGH A REAL-WORLD TEST RECENTLY AND THE DIRECTOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT EXPLAINS.

>> DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, THEY COMPLETED A REAL TIME --AND THEY PLAYED AN INSTRUMENTAL ROLE RESTORING POWER IN THIS DISTRICT AND AFTER THAT THEY CAME ALIVE AFTER THAT FREQUENCY WHICH ALLOWS AUTHORITIES TO RESTORE CUSTOMERS ON SEVERAL DISTRIBUTION FEEDERS WHILE WORKING ON RESTORING ADDITIONAL FACTORIES AND THIS IS A PIVOTAL MOMENT AS IT INTENSIFIES THESE ENGINES AND IT MAINTAINS A STABLE AND RELIABLE POWER.

AND WE INTEND TO COMPLETE THIS CONNECTION AS WELL AS THE COMMISSIONING ACTIVITIES IN THE SERVICE SYSTEM AND OUR INTENTION IS TO HAVE THE ENGINES AND SYSTEMS ALIGNED BY THE CLOSE OF 2023.

>>> IN OTHER NEWS A MORE RESILIENT POWER GRID CONTINUES TO TAKE SHAPE AT THE AUTHORITY AND IT IS ALSO COMING TO A CLOSE AND SO FAR THE $130 MILLION PROJECT IS 93% COMPLETED ON SAINT THOMAS, 82% COMPLETED ON ST. CROIX AND 74% COMPLETED ON ST. JOHN AND THE INTERIM DIRECTOR OF TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION TALKED TO US WHILE THE CONTRACTOR WORKED TO INSTALL POLLS IN THAT AREA ON ST. THOMAS.

>> THIS PROJECT IS ONE OF SEVERAL OF OUR HAZARD MITIGATION PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE IN THE TERRITORY AND IT IS TO WITHSTAND 180 MILE-PER-HOUR WIND AND EACH POLE LOCATION HAD A WIND ANALYSIS FOR CAPABILITIES AND IT ALSO COMES WITH A 41 YEAR WARRANTY AGAINST A WIND STORM EVENTS AND SO FAR WE HAVE ROUGHLY 7700 POLLS INSTALLED AND THESE ARE MORE RESILIENT AND EACH POLE I GUESS IS MADE FROM A COMPOSITE POLE THAT MAKES HER SYSTEM THAT MUCH STRONGER.

>> THE $160 MILLION RECOVERY HOUSING PROJECT CELEBRATED A HUGE MILESTONE ON OCTOBER 5 AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HOSTED A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY FOR THE PAVILION ON ST. CROIX WHICH INCLUDES THE RECONSTRUCTION OF 82 BRAND-NEW AND NOW FULLY OCCUPIED UNITS.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHARED DETAILS ON WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE HOUSING COMMUNITY.

>> OUR PLAN IS TO BUILD A BETTER PASSPORT FOR FAMILIES TO GROW AND BECOME STRONGER AND RESILIENT AND OUR PLAN IS TO BUILD HOMES WITH PRIDE AND DIGNITY AND THE PRIDE TO LIVE AND GROW WITH EACH GENERATION AND WE HAVE 82 FAMILIES NOW AND WE ARE RELYING ON THESE HEADS AND VOLUNTEER FOR THE RESIDENT COUNCIL AND WORK WITH US TO REFINE THE RESIDENT PROGRAMS FOR ALL 248 HOUSEHOLDS WHICH WILL BE HOUSED AUGUST OF 2024.

>> THERE WERE ALSO REMARKS ON THE MILESTONE SIGNIFICANCE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUING TO WORK TOGETHER TO ASSESS ISSUES IN THE TERRITORY.

>> WE COME IN HERE AND WE SEE OUR PARTNERS FROM GOLDMAN SACHS AND ENGINEERING AND MY COLLEAGUES AND SENATORS AND HOW WE WORK TOGETHER TO GET PROBLEMS DONE AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE OVER HERE AND FEMA PARTNERS AND IT TAKES A LOT TO MAKE THIS VILLAGE WORK.

AND WE ARE ALL WORKING FOR THE SAME THING, TO GIVE PEOPLE THE STRENGTH AND BELIEF IN THEMSELVES AND THE RESOURCES TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT.

>> ANOTHER RIBBING CUT AND IS IN THE WORK --CUTTING IS IN THE WORKS AND IT´S ALMOST READY FOR ITS GRAND OPENING AND THE $3.5 MILLION PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE FINISHED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS INTERESTED IN DOING BUSINESS WITH THE RECOVERY SHOULD VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR AN UPDATED LIST OF THESE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DETAILED INFORMATION.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY SAID A QUALIFIED CONTRACTOR WILL COMPLETE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FEMA HOUSING BY DECEMBER 8 AND YOU CAN LOOK AT THIS ANOTHER OPEN ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ALL PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY BY LOGGING ON TO THEIR WEBSITE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE.

THE RIBBON-CUTTING´S AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THESE UPCOMING CEREMONIES BUT WITH NO TIME TO WASTE WE DO HAVE A JAMPACKED SHOW READY FOR USE STARTING WITH THIS EPISODE AND JOINING THE ON THE SET IS THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WORKFORCE AND DOCTOR MONIQUE FALCONER.

>> WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE HAVE THIS COMING FROM ALL ANGLES.

THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EDUCATION AND ALSO A VIRGIN ISLANDS BUSINESSMAN AS WELL AND MAKING MONEY BUT GIVING BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITIES AND HAPPY TO HAVE YOU.

EVENTS THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FORCE HOSTED THIS SUMMIT IN MID-OCTOBER AND TELL US ABOUT THE FOCUS AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS AND WHY ARE YOU TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE TO WORK ON THIS.

>> BASICALLY THE SUMMIT INTENTION IS COLLABORATION SO WE DO INVITE EVERYBODY, JOB SEEKERS TO EMPLOYERS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES UNDER ONE ROOF TO COLLABORATE AND TALK ABOUT ISSUES THEY HAVE AND TALK ABOUT WHAT IS WORKING AND ALSO TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS COMING AND IT´S MOVING SO FAST AND WE NEED THESE TWO ACTUALLY TALK TO EACH OTHER AND GET INSIGHTS ON HOW WE MOVED FORWARD TOGETHER BECAUSE THIS SO BIG NOBODY COULD DO THIS BY THEMSELVES AND WE NEED EVERYBODY TO GET IN ON IT.

>> YOU HAVE PARTNERS AND IT IS A ONE-TWO PUNCH AND WHAT IS YOUR VISION AND WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS YEAR TO YEAR?

>> IT STARTS WITH THAT AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO WHAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY CITIZEN IN THIS COMMUNITY, WHETHER YOUNG OR OLD THAT YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO BE EMPLOYED AND HAVE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.

SO IT KEEPS US WORKING VERY HARD AND IT´S VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN IDENTIFYING THE FACTORS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR CONSIDERS.

>> YOU BOTH HAVE YOUR JOBS.

>> YES.

USUALLY IT IS VERY CHALLENGING AND HE IS COMPETITIVE AND I AM COMPETITIVE.

>> AND ALSO BEING AN EDUCATOR AND YOU EDUCATE WITH THE WORKFORCE AND GET A JOB.

>> I THINK THAT REALLY HELPS A LOT COMING FROM EDUCATION AND UNDERSTANDING AND THEN BEING ABLE TO COME TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

>> DOCTOR FALCONER, YOU ARE IN IT RIGHT NOW MAKING SURE AND I TELL PEOPLE THIS RECOVERY IS GOING ON FOR ANOTHER 10 YEARS AND A LOT OF THE STUDENTS THAT YOU HAVE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING ON THESE PROJECTS.

>> YES.

ABSOLUTELY.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE DOING AS THE COMMISSIONER SAID .

>> BEING ABLE TO COME AND WORK WITH THEM.

>> YOU ARE IN IT RIGHT NOW AND I TELL PEOPLE THAT THIS RECOVERY WILL BE GOING ON FOR ANOTHER 10 YEARS SO A LOT OF THE STUDENTS YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW ARE GOING TO BE WORKING ON THESE PROJECTS.

>>.

YES.

ABSOLUTELY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING LIKE THE COMMISSIONER SAID IS FOCUSING ON CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION FROM KINDERGARTEN ALL THE WAY UP THROUGH SECONDARY WHICH IS HIGH SCHOOL.

THIS IS THE E-MAILS SEIZE THE MOMENT >> THEY WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES THERE ARE RIGHT NOW IN ORDER TO INCREASE WITH THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IT´S MAKING YOUR AREA EXCITING TO COME WORK FOR AND IF YOU OUT THERE AND YOU DO SOMETHING YOU HAVE NEVER DONE IN THE PAST THAT IS INNOVATION AND THEY WILL WANT TO BE EXCITED AND THEY WILL WANT TO >> THEY NEED TO IMPROVE THEIR MINDSET.

>> THEY WILL WANT TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT THEY´RE DOING.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY NEED TO IMPROVE THEIR MINDSET AND THEIR WAY OF LIVING THINKING AND HOW ACTUALLY BEING THAT AND GETTING A JOB.

>> THIS NOT ONLY ADDRESSES THE ISSUES FOR ADULTS BUT ALSO THE YOUTH AND IT ADDRESSES THE CONCERNS OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS ON HOW THEY WERE ABLE TO OVERCOME THEIR BARRIERS >> THIS EVENT WAS ABSOLUTELY BENEFICIAL BECAUSE WE NEED MORE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PROGRAMS LIKE THIS THAT CAN BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE YOUNGER GENERATION AND WORKING PROFESSIONALS THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO SEE AND HEAR FROM PROFESSIONALS ON A FIRST-HAND BASIS AND GET AN IDEA OF WHERE THEY WANT THE TRAJECTORY OF THEIR LIFE TO FOLLOW.

>> THE IMPACT HAS BEEN FELT AND IN ONE OF MY PANELS WE GOT SOMEBODY TWO INTERVIEWS AND TWO DIFFERENT COMPANIES AND THERE ARE EVEN MORE STORIES LIKE THAT HERE.

>> COMMISSIONER MALLOY, IT IS A LOT OF GOOD FEEDBACK FROM MANY DIFFERENT ANGLES AND YOUR AGENCY´S ROLE IN THE SUMMIT IS CRITICAL AND THAT IS NOT ALL YOU DO BUT TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE OTHER PROGRAMS YOU ARE WORKING WITH IN YOUR DEPARTMENT TO HELP TO AUGMENT THE WORKFORCE AND THEIR NEEDS.

>> THE CHALLENGE FOR US IS THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WAS ONLY KNOWN FOR CERTAIN THINGS LIKE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND SUMMER EMPLOYMENT.

ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FOCUS IS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TYING IT TO AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SO THAT TIES IN IN TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GROW THE ECONOMY IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND WHAT WE LOOKED AT IS THE HUMAN RESOURCES IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOLS OR TREASURE THAT WE HAVE TO UTILIZE.

>> IS THAT TRUE?

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ASSET?

>> THE PEOPLE.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

>> SO WE MAKE SURE WE ARE WORKING FROM THIS LEARNING APPROACH TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO APPLY, WHETHER IT IS ON-THE- JOB TRAINING, INCUMBENT WORKER TRAINING INDIVIDUALS ARE ON THE JOB AND EMPLOYERS WANT ADDITIONAL TRAINING FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES AND WE HAVE CUSTOMIZED TRAINING THAT LEADS TO APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

WE HAVE BEEN MAKING SURE THAT OUR SERVICES SPAN THE ENTIRE GAMUT OF THIS ATMOSPHERE AND THE FOCUS YOU WILL SEE FROM US HIS WORK WAS DEVELOPMENT EVEN THOUGH, AGAIN, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IS THERE AN WORKERS COMPENSATION IS THERE AND LABOR RELATIONS AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS TO WORK ON.

>> FANTASTIC.

I KNOW THE CBG DR PROGRAM PROVIDED FUNDING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO PROVIDE THE SKILLS AND TRAINING BECAUSE OF THE ANTICIPATED AMOUNT OF WORK AND JOBS CREATED BY THE RECOVERY.

>> DEFINITELY.

I WANT TO SAY AGAIN A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU AND THE GOVERNOR AND THE ENTIRE TEAM AT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY BECAUSE WE WROTE THAT GRANT AND YOU KNOW A CHALLENGE WRITING ANY GRANT ESPECIALLY FOR $10 MILLION WHICH IS A LARGE SUM OF MONEY.

SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE ADDRESSED RECOVERY ISSUES AND TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, WE THE SKILL SET OF THE PROGRAM REALLY LOOKED AT CONSTRUCTION AND IT IS A CORE AREA AND WE HAD TWO STAGES FOR CONSTRUCTION AND ONE FOR CORE TO GET INDIVIDUALS WITH COURSE VACATION AND THE OTHER IS STAGE II MAC DESIGNED TO MAKE SURE TO FUND THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND IDENTIFY THOSE THAT HAD LEADERSHIP CAPABILITY FOR SUPERVISORY AND OF COURSE WE HAD THE NONCONSTRUCTION AREAS THAT FOCUSED ON WORK-BASED LEARNING AND HOSPITALITY, I.T., HEALTHCARE AND MARINE.

>> YOU KNOW, WAS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND DID IT HAVE A ROLE IN THIS, OR DID YOU HAVE OUTSIDE SERVICE PROVIDERS?

HOW IS THAT PROVIDED TO INTEREST IN PERSONS ?

>> EDUCATION HAS A ROLE IN EVERYTHING WE DO BECAUSE WE LOOKED AT THEIR PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE AND WE MAPPED THAT WHAT WE CALL OUR OCCUPATIONAL CODES TO MAKE SURE THE SKILLS ARE IN ALIGNMENT.

BUT IN TERMS OF MOVING THE SKILLS FOR THAT PROGRAM FORWARD WE HAD TO GET A PROJECT MANAGER BECAUSE WE DID RECOGNIZE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR COULDN´T DO IT ON OUR OWN WITHOUT HAVING SOME OUTSIDE HELP.

SO WE PUT ON THIS AND WE HAD NINE RESPONDENTS TO THAT BID AND ICF WAS THE WINNING BIDDER AND THEY WERE THE PROJECT MANAGER.

>> YOU RECENTLY HAD A GRADUATION.

AND WE EMPLOYED A FANTASTIC YOUNG MAN WORKING WITH THE ENVISION TOMORROW PROGRAM AND WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH HIM, DANTE MALLOY AND HE IS AN ASSISTANT CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AND SHARED THE DETAILS OF HIS ROLE AND HOW HE FEELS ABOUT THE PROGRAM.

>> I STARTED WITH THE AGENCY A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO AND MY JOB DESCRIPTION WAS TRACKING A ASSURANCE IN FULL COMPLIANCE AND I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE A PROGRAM AND I CHOSE IT BECAUSE I THOUGHT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN A LIFELONG SKILL.

IT DEFINITELY IS A GOLDEN TICKET TO FUTURE PROGRESSION.

AND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AS WITH EVERYTHING WE SEE AROUND US IN OUR DAILY LIVES.

SO THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE DEFINITELY ENDLESS AND SPECIALLY IN DISASTER RECOVERY BECAUSE WE EXPERIENCE DISASTERS HERE AND WE NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY COME.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITY AND IT WAS A FREE OPPORTUNITY AND I ENCOURAGE FUTURE GENERATIONS TO TAKE PART IN THE TRAINING AND INVESTING YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU ARE THE FUTURE AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION GOING FORWARD.

YOU HAVE EVERYTHING IN FRONT OF YOU THAT YOU NEED.

>> I MEAN HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL?

>> YOU GUYS FEATURED MY SON.

HE WAS ONE THAT COMPLETED THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT SO IN LINE WITH WHAT WE CALL A GRADUATION CEREMONY, BUT WHAT IT REALLY WAS IS A CEREMONY TO RECOGNIZE THOSE IN THE HARD WORK OF THOSE MEN AND WOMEN´S AND THE SACRIFICES THEY MADE TO BE IN THE PROGRAM BECAUSE WHY DO WE SAY IT IS FREE AND INDIVIDUALS COMPLETED THE CORE CONSTRUCTION, WHICH TOOK ABOUT 3 TO 4 WEEKS TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE AND THEN THE CRAFT TRAINING TOOK ABOUT 3 TO 4 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

SO THEY RECEIVED NATIONAL CERTIFICATION AND LEVEL I CERTIFICATION IN ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, CARPENTRY, MASONRY, THE WELDING CERTIFICATION.

SO WE WERE ABLE IN THE ST. CROIX PROGRAM TO RECOGNIZE 174 INDIVIDUALS FROM THE DISTRICT OF ST. CROIX AND WE WERE WRITABLE --ABLE TO RECOGNIZE 27 INDIVIDUALS AND TOTALLY WE WERE INITIALLY SET UP TO TRAIN 680 INDIVIDUALS AND WE ENDED UP TRAINING 837 INDIVIDUALS OF WHICH 420 OF THEM CAME FROM THE CONSTRUCTION AREA.

WE DO HAVE A LOT MORE INDIVIDUALS IN THE WORKFORCE NOW WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE WORKFORCE AND CAN HELP REDUCE THAT NUMBER FROM 5000 AND WE KNOW WE HAVE ADDED SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN THAT AND THERE ARE 420 MORE INDIVIDUALS THAT CAN HELP THIS RECOVERY PROCESS.

>> THAT IS THE WHOLE POINT OF IT.

AND ONCE WE TAKE THEM AND TRAIN THEM AND THEY GET ON THAT SIDE FOR BEING ABLE TO GET EMPLOYMENT AND I KNOW YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING LIKE THIS ON YOUR OWN BEFORE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND EMPLOY THEM AFTER.

SO WHAT WERE YOUR RESPONSES TO THIS?

>> I THINK IT IS A GREAT THING.

I THINK IT IS SOMETHING WE DON´T NEED TO JUST DO ONCE BUT EVERY YEAR FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS BECAUSE WE NEED GREAT INVESTMENT INTO THE WORKFORCE AND A LOT OF IT HAS BEEN TAKEN FOR GRANTED FOR A LONG TIME AND WE ASSUMED IT WOULD DO ITS OWN THINK OF RIGHT NOW WE DO SEE THE EFFECTS OF IT WE HAVE ALL OF THIS OPPORTUNITY AND NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE WHO ARE SKILLED ENOUGH TO EXECUTE SO IT NEEDS TO BE EVERYDAY FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS.

>> I HEAR THAT.

$10 MILLION.

AND HOW DOES YOUR OFFICE AND PROGRAM DIFFER WITH THESE OPPORTUNITIES?

>> AT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WE HAVE RECEIVE A GRANT TERRITORIALLY AND IN ADDITION TO OUR SECONDARY PROGRAMS, AND OUR HIGH SCHOOLS, WHICH LEAD INTO OR FEEDS INTO CURRENT PATHWAYS THE SKILL CENTER AND WE HAVE THE EAST SKILLS CENTER AND THE SEATAC PROGRAM THAT IS ACTUALLY STARTING TO FEED INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PIPELINE SO WHAT WE HAVE IS MORE ROBUST PROGRAMS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR BECAUSE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION IS A NUCLEUS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EVERY CAREER IS A CTE PROGRAM.

AND EACH OF THESE CLUSTERS THERE ARE DIFFERENT CAREERS WITH OCCUPATIONAL ANDREA AND EXIT POINTS FOR EVERYBODY IN THE ECONOMY.

SO WHAT WE DO AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS WE FEED INTO THE CAREER PATHS IDENTIFIED IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WITH ST. CROIX AND THE ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN DISTRICT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND CURRENTLY WE HAVE 19 PROGRAMS AT THE WHITLEY SKILL CENTER IN THE ST. THOMAS DISTRICT.

AND WE HAVE ABOUT FIVE AND RIGHT NOW RAMPING UP IN THE ST. CROIX DISTRICT WITH SIX MORE COMING ON BOARD NEXT SEMESTER WHICH IS THE JANUARY SEMESTER.

SO WE ARE REALLY WORKING COLLABORATIVELY AND PUSHING AHEAD TO GET THESE PROGRAMS OUT HERE.

>> WONDERFUL.

I KNOW AT THE WHITLEY SKILL CENTER, THESE ARE ALL PROJECTS THAT HAD DAMAGES FOR RECOVERY AND WERE WORKING AGAIN AND THE DOLLARS WE INVESTED TO BRING THE FACILITY SO YOU CAN GET THE PROGRAMS AND TO HELP ALL OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THIS WOULDN´T BE A RECOVERY AND FOCUS SHOW IF WE DIDN´T TALK ABOUT PROGRESS.

WE WILL GET UPDATES AND WE ALSO SPOKE TO THE CONTRACTORS AND HOW THEY ARE TAPPING INTO LOCAL WORKFORCE AND THEIR EFFORTS TO MEET THE FEDERAL AND LOCAL GUIDELINES FOR HIRING.

RIGHT NOW, SCHOOLS AND HOUSING ARE A FEW SECTORS THAT ARE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST AND IT WAS PRE-K THROUGH EIGHT SCHOOL IS A HOT TOPIC AND WE WILL START THERE AND WE CAUGHT UP WITH A FEW FAMILIAR FACES.

AND CHRISTIAN DUFFY IS A SUPERINTENDENT AND QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER TO GIVE US AN UPDATE ON DETAILS OF WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE ENGAGING WITH LOCAL NEIGHBORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS.

TAKE A LISTEN.

>> McN IS PROUD OF THE PROGRESS ON THE ARTHUR RICHARDS PROJECT AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF POURING CONCRETE FOR THE SYSTEM LAB IN THE COMING WEEKS.

THE MISSION IS TO BUILD SPACES THAT EMPOWER THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE AND MASSIVE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS LIKE ARTHUR RICHARDS CAN PROVIDE IMMEDIATE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

THEY UNDERSTAND THE RESPONSIBILITY AS A GENERAL CONTRACTOR TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AROUND OUR PROJECT SITES WHETHER MANDATED BY CONTRACTOR NOT, IT IS OUR MISSION TO BETTER THE LIVES OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ADHERING DO SECTION 3 REQUIREMENTS AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR MISSION IN WORKING WITH UNDERSERVED BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY IS A PART OF OUR CORE BUSINESS PRACTICES AND WE DON´T BUILD A JOB WITHOUT SEEKING BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE ARE BUILDING.

>> McN IS IN ST. CROIX AND OUR TEAM IS COMPOSED OF A MIX OF NATIVE ISLANDERS AND OTHER RESIDENTS WHO SUPPORT EXPERTS FROM WASHINGTON DC AND FURTHERMORE WE HAVE HIRED AN INTERN FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND OUR TO IDENTIFY INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES THAT ARE INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH US AND WE HAVE HELD IN PERSON VIRTUAL AND HYBRID SUBCONTRACTOR OUTREACH EVENTS TO GET THE WORD OUT FOR THIS PROJECT AND THE RESULTS OF THESE EFFORTS SPEAK FOR ITSELF WITH 100% OF WORK CONSTRUCTED GOING TO LOCAL FIRMS AND IN FACT THE FIRST CONTRACT, TEMPORARY FENCING AND ON-SITE PROTECTION WITH ANG FENCING HOME WE MET WHILE WE GOT TO KNOW THE IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD.

McN WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORT AS WE ENTER INTO THE NEXT PHASE OF THIS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AND WE DO LOOK FORWARD TO FURTHER GROWING THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND DEVELOPING A MODERN AND MODERN WORKFORCE FOR ON-THE-JOB >> SO WE ARE DEFINITELY LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT AND THE FIRST SCHOOL REBUILD ON THE ISLAND OF ST. CROIX AND COMPLEMENTING SCHOOLS OF COURSE WITH HEADSTART AND THEY ARE UP NEXT AND MARK GRAHAM VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS AT CUSTOM BUILDERS SHARES THE STATUS OF A FEW OF THEIR ST. THOMAS PROJECTS AND LOOTING THIS.

AND LET´S LISTEN TO THESE UPDATES.

>> THE NEW HEADSTART PROJECTS ARE KICKING OFF IN ST. THOMAS AT THREE SITES AND THE HEADSTART CENTER AND THE LINDBERGH THEY HEADSTART AND THE MINETTA MITCHELL HEADSTART FACILITY IN FRENCHTOWN AND AT THE MITCHELL SITE, DEMO IS COMPLETED AND NEW BLOCK WALLS OF THE STRUCTURE ARE GOING UP AND TODAY WE ARE HERE AT THE HEADSTART CENTER WHICH IS IN THE DEMOLITION PHASE AND THIS USED TO BE THE SITE OF A HURRICANE DAMAGED RESIDENTIAL BUILDING AND CUSTOM BUILDERS HAS DEMOLISHED THE OLD BUILDING TO PREPARE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE AND THE SORDID DEBRIS IS SLATED FOR REUSE AND RECYCLING AND A LARGE WHITE BACK AS YOU CAN SEE IS WASTE THAT WILL BE DISPOSED OF OFF ISLAND IN THE NEW FACILITY WILL BE A HURRICANE RESISTANT, ALL CONCRETE STRUCTURE AND THE NEW BUILDING WILL HOUSE HEADSTART OFFICES AT THE TRAINING CENTER AND FOUR NEW DAYCARE ROOMS AND THIS TINY TOTS PLAYGROUND IN FRENCHTOWN HAS BEEN A SUCCESS FOR CUSTOM BUILDERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

IF YOU OR YOUR KIDS PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF ST. THOMAS´S SPORTS LEAGUES, THE FIRST THING YOU´LL NOTICE IS A NEW STATE-OF-THE- ART LIGHTING SYSTEM WHICH REALLY IMPROVED THE FIELD OF PLAY AS WELL AS WATCHING THE GAME AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FIELD INCLUDE A NEW SCOREBOARD AND REPLACEMENT OF MORE THAN 200 FEET OF FENCING SURROUNDING THE FIELD.

IF YOU WATCH A GAME, YOU WILL SEE THERE IS A NEW ROOF OVER THE CONCESSION AND RESTROOM AREA AND IT´S IN ITS FINAL PHASE AS WE AWAIT THE ARRIVAL OF NEW BLEACHERS OR SEATING AREA.

>> YOU NEED A SCOREBOARD AND YOU COME AND YOU MAKE SURE AND THEY COME TO WATCH THE GAME AND YOU KNOW WHAT THE SCORE IS.

HATS OFF TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS AND PARKS AND RECREATION FOR A LOT OF THE WORK THEY ARE DOING AND ALSO THE HEADSTART´S AND THIS AREA HERE YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PASS THAT WAY AND SEE?

>> NOT AS OF YET.

>> NO.

MAKE SURE ALL OF THAT IS GONE AND YOU ARE MAKING WAY FOR THE NEW CONSTRUCTION OF THE HEADSTART AND ALSO SHARES HOW CUSTOM BUILDERS ARE NAVIGATING FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS LIKE SECTION 3 WHICH COMPANIES EMPLOY AND TRAIN IN CONTRACT LOW AND VERY LOW INCOME PERSONS.

LET´S LISTEN.

>>> CUSTOM BUILDERS AS PART OF OUR LOCAL WORKFORCE AND FOR DISSIPATING THE SECTION 3 PROGRAM AND AT CUSTOM BUILDERS WE DO SEE SECTION 3 AS A WIN WIN WIN FOR THE WORKER AND CUSTOM BUILDERS PROJECTS AND PRIORITY TO HIRE LOCALLY FROM THE COMMUNITY AND GROW AND PROMOTE OUR EMPLOYEES FROM WITHIN AND LOCAL CONSTRUCTION JOBS ARE CRITICAL TO THE COMMUNITY AND RECOVERY AND ARE JOBS THAT ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN THE FUTURE AND THESE ARE NOT MINIMUM-WAGE JOBS.

THESE ARE REAL OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP A CAREER AND BUILD A LIFE THROUGH A MEANINGFUL JOB IN THE CONSTRUCTION TRADES AND FOR CUSTOM BUILDERS, THESE ONGOING RECOVERY PROJECTS ARE ALSO A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FROM A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE AND OFTEN THESE JOBS ARE LONG-TERM OR MULTIYEAR PROJECTS WHERE ENTRY-LEVEL EMPLOYEES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE A PROJECT FROM START TO FINISH AND SEE AND LEARN A VARIETY OF SKILLS.

LEARNING AND ACQUIRING SKILLS ON THE JOB CREATES A PIPELINE FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AND THESE ARE A GREAT VEHICLE FOR THIS.

SECTION 3 BENEFITS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY AND MAGNIFIES FEDERAL INVESTMENT THROUGH THESE PROJECTS AND AS WE RECRUIT AND GROW OUR LOCAL CONSTRUCTION WORKFORCE, WE REDUCE THE NEED TO BRING IN OFF ISLAND LABOR AND AT THE SAME TIME WITH EACH PROJECT, THE TERRITORY GROWS AND THE NUMBER OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AND INCREASES THE SKILL OF THOSE WORKERS AND CUSTOM BUILDERS IS EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THESE PROJECTS PRESENT.

>> YOU HAVE ACTUALLY DONE WORK IN THE HOUSING COMMUNITIES AND HAD TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 3 REQUIREMENTS AS WELL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

BACK IN 2015 OR 2016 WE HAVE A SIMILAR AWARD WITH THE COMMUNITIES WITH INFRASTRUCTURE AND FIVE COMMUNITIES AND WE DIDN´T REALLY KNOW ABOUT THAT REQUIREMENT BUT IT WAS JUST OUR INTENTION TO TAKE PEOPLE FROM THE SAME COMMUNITIES WE WERE WORKING IN AND ACTUALLY HAVE THEM HELP DEPLOY THE PROJECT AND WE DIDN´T --DID THAT IN FIVE COMMUNITIES AND IT IS AN IMPACT TO THEIR LEARNING AND IF WE DID A PROJECT IN THE SAME COMMUNITY THEY WERE LIVING IN, THEY HAVE A SENSE OF PRIDE.

>> YES.

ABSOLUTELY.

WITH THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THERE IS A REQUIREMENT FROM SECTION 3 AND ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS, BUT IT IS GOOD TO SEE THAT OUR CONTRACTORS ARE GETTING THE HANG OF IT AND NOT JUST LOOKING AT IT AS IT IS A REGULATION AND A REAL PAIN IN THE BUTT BUT JUST TO SEE WHAT THE BENEFITS TO THE OVERALL COMMUNITY IS AND TO THEM BECAUSE AS ONE OF THE COMMENTS MADE IS THEY DON´T HAVE TO HIRE AS MANY OFF ISLAND WORKERS BECAUSE WE CAN TRAIN PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IS WATCHING AND WHERE ACTIVELY INVOLVED WITH ALL OF THOSE CONTRACTORS AND CUSTOM BUILDERS AND THE CONSTRUCTION.

THEY HAVE BEEN UTILIZING THE PROJECTS WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WORKFORCE PROCESS, THEY HAVE TO POST THEIR VACANCIES WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR .

SO WE ARE MAKING SURE THEY ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT AND WE ARE STILL HELPING THEM TO SOURCE THOSE INDIVIDUALS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR COLLABORATING WITH HOUSING AUTHORITY.

>> YES.

THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IS WATCHING.

OKAY?

MORE IMPORTANTLY, THERE IS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES, SO IF YOU WANT A JOB, REACH OUT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GET TRAINING AND ALSO BE IN A POSITION WHERE YOU CAN GET EMPLOYMENT.

SO AS WE DID SEE IN THE NEW SEGMENT, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY HELD A RIBBON PARTY FOR PHASE 1 OF THIS PROJECT IN FREDERICTON AND JAY BENTON CONSTRUCTION IS WORKING ON THE PROJECT AND HIRED TWO RESIDENTS SO FAR.

WE DID SPEAK TO ONE OF THEM AND HERE IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT AND THEN FINDING IT WHERE YOU LIVE.

>> I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS AND EVER SINCE I´VE BEEN HERE THIS WAS REALLY DESTROYED AND TO SEE IT WITH THIS BIG CHANGE, I AM PROUD OF IT AND YOU HAVE TWO KEEP TRY AND AND THERE ARE JOBS EVERYWHERE AND THEY NOBODY REFUSING NOTHING AND YOU HAVE COMFORTABLE AT.

YOU KNOW WHAT I AM SAYING?

BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE ARE BORED WITH CERTAIN JOBS AND THEY ARE NOT COMFORTABLE AND IT MIGHT BE THE PAY FOR IT MAY NOT BE SOMEBODY FINE WITH THE PAY AND THEY LEAVE OR QUIT THE JOB OR WHATEVER THE CASE CAN BE BUT YOU CAN´T GET PAID FOR SOMETHING IF YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED FOR IT.

AND THAT IS A BIG PROBLEM HERE WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE QUALIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN THINGS BUT THEY LOOK AT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY SO WHEN THEY GET HIRED FOR THAT IT DISCOURAGES THEM AND THAT IS HOW WE END UP GETTING OTHER PEOPLE TO COME AND WORK.

>> I WAS INTRIGUED LISTENING TO WHAT HE SAID.

YOU HAVE TO BE QUALIFIED FOR THESE POSITIONS AND YOU MAY WANT THEM BUT THANKFULLY, THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ARE PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY GET THOSE SKILLS.

>> YES.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS WE DON´T DO IS WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE WHETHER YOU HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED, IF YOU WANT TO BE SKILLED UP, WE HAVE DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAMS WHERE YOU CAN ENROLL FOR YOUR GED AND HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND SKILL AND TRADE CERTIFICATION AT THE SAME TIME.

WE START OUR PROGRAMS IN STAGES WHERE YOU GET STACKABLE CERTIFICATIONS AND THE COMMISSIONER TALKED ABOUT IN CCR AND THAT IS THE FIRST AND WE HAVE LEVEL I AND 2 AND 3 AND THEN LEVEL IV´S JOURNEYMAN AND THAT IS AN ENTRY AND EXIT POINT FOR EVERYONE BECAUSE THEY ARE ADULTS AND LIFE HAPPENS AND YOU HAVE TO PAY BILLS AND IT GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE SKILLS AND TRAINING TO GET A SUSTAINABLE WAGE EARNING AND COME BACK TO TAKE ON THE NEXT SEE FIT.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY BUT TO SAY AND RECORD THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS THE LOWEST IT HAS EVER BEEN IN THE HISTORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND IT IS 3.3 PERCENT TERRITORY WIDE AND ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN IS 3.1% AND ST. CROIX IS 3.7% AND WE NEVER HAD NUMBERS THIS LOW.

EVERYBODY THAT WANTS A JOB, THERE ARE JOBS AVAILABLE FOR ANYBODY TO BE ABLE TO GET HIRED.

>> THAT IS TELLING.

3% UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE LOWEST IT HAS EVER BEEN AND IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND GET MORE PROJECTS ON.

SO AFTER AN APPRENTICESHIP AND OPPORTUNITIES AND HAVING AN EXPERIENCED TEAM ARE IMPORTANT TO THEIR ABILITY TO PRODUCE QUALITY WORK AND ATTRACT A LOCAL WORKFORCE AND COLLEEN AND CHRIS FROM THE PROJECT AND HOW THEY GET IT DONE.

>> I THINK THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, JUST LIKE ANYWHERE ELSE , QUALITY ATTRACT QUALITY AND WHETHER THAT IS THE QUALITY OF WORK THAT WE ARE GOING AFTER AND THE QUALITY OF WORK WE PUT IN PLACE GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN AND STARTS REALLY WITH PEOPLE AND QUALITY OF PEOPLE THAT WE HIRE.

SO BY CONTINUING TO PUT IN THE BEST QUALITY WORK AND HAVE THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF SAFETY AND PROFESSIONALISM THAT WE AS INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS PORTRAY ONTO EVERYONE ELSE AND THEN REALLY BRINGS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WORK FOR THE COMPANY.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO TRAINING, J BENNETT CONSTRUCTION IS A MULTITUDE OF TRADESMEN AND SUPERVISING MANAGERS AND THEY CAN ALL TEACH AND PASSED ON INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS AND I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS COMING INTO THE INDUSTRY, YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO ADAPT LEARN AND I THINK THE BIG THREE THINGS ARE SHOW UP THE RIGHT TIME, THE RIGHT PLACE AND THE RIGHT UNIFORM AND WE CAN TAKE IT FROM THERE AND IF YOU ARE WILLING TO LEARN, YOU CAN BECOME A SKILLED TRADESMAN.

>> YOU MATCH PEOPLE UP WITH THE SKILLS THEY HAVE.

WE HAVE SENIOR GUYS WHO HAVE WORKED WITH US FOR 30+ YEARS AND MASTERS AT THEIR TRADE AND THEY HAVE A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE THROUGH THE APPRENTICESHIP AND THEY WILL GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.

AND OVER A COURSE OF TIME, THEY WILL PICK UP THOSE SKILLS PIECE BY PIECE AND THE BETTER YOUR ATTITUDE IS, THE BETTER YOUR WORK ETHIC IS AND THE MORE PROFESSIONAL YOU ARE AND RESPECTING OTHER PEOPLE´S TIME AND SHOWING UP ON TIME AND BEING THERE AND DOING THAT KIND OF WORK AND IT WILL GET YOU TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

>> I REALLY DO LIKE WHAT HE SAID LIKE A GOOD WORK ETHIC AND SIMPLE THINGS LIKE COMING TO WORK ON TIME AND SHOWING UP AND HAVING A GOOD ATTITUDE AND THAT´S HALF THE BATTLE AND SOME PEOPLE SAY IT IS EVERYTHING, BUT IT IS DEFINITELY CRITICAL SO YOU CAN ELEVATE TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND WE CAN´T TALK ABOUT POSTSECONDARY TRAINING AND LEARNING AND OPPORTUNITIES WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THEY HAVE BEEN DRIVING CHANGE ON CAMPUSES AND WORKING TO OFFER FLEXIBLE LEARNING OPTIONS TO SUPPORT RECOVERY EFFORTS AND FACILITATE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR IN DEMAND CAREERS AND WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE UNIVERSITY ON A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES AND HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH THE PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND SHE DESCRIBED SOME OF THE NEW PROGRAMS AND THINGS THERE OFFERING DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RECOVERY.

>> WHEN WE ARE RESPONDING TO THINGS LIKE DISASTERS OR DISASTER RECOVERY SCOTT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ALWAYS WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS CONSTRUCTION OR TALK ABOUT SECURITY AND WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT RETOOLING AND REIMAGINING YOURSELF IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE NEW THINGS THAT HAVE COME UP.

WITH REGARD TO CONSTRUCTION, WE HAVE SOME CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AND THEY ARE SHORT PROGRAMS OF 15 OR SO COLLEGE CREDITS BUT YOU DON´T HAVE TO STAY FOR A DEGREE.

IT IS SHORT AND YOU CAN DO IT IN LESS THAN A YEAR OR YEAR AND WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT WHICH WE IMPLEMENTED A FEW YEARS AGO AND WE ALSO HAVE A CERTIFICATE IN CYBER SECURITY BECAUSE THE DATA SECURITY IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT ESPECIALLY WHEN RESPONDING TO DISASTERS.

FOOD SECURITY IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT WE ARE ALWAYS REMINDED OF ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE FACED WITH DISASTERS.

WE DO HAVE SOME CERTIFICATES IN AGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESS AND TOURISM AND GENERAL AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE AND THE SHORT PROGRAMS ARE A WAY TO GET US UP AND STARTED AND RESPONDING.

SO AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGIN ISLANDS, WE ARE READY AND ABLE TO RESPOND QUICKLY TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AND ESPECIALLY WITH REGARDS TO RECOVERING AFTER A DISASTER.

>> HOW IMPORTANT ARE THESE SHORT CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AND HOW DO EMPLOYERS VIEW THEM?

>> THAT IS THE NEW DIRECTION OF THE WORLD OF WORK.

CANDIDATES WILL HAVE JOBS WHERE THEY DON´T SPEND AS LONG BUT THEY WILL HAVE A LARGE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND REMARKABLE JOBS AND WHEN YOU HAVE THESE SHORT CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS, IT GIVES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET AN AND MASTER IT AND GET A JOB AND POTENTIALLY MOVE ON TO SOMETHING BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO ADAPT TO MAYBE THE DEMAND.

THAT IS THE NEW DIRECTION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

BASED ON HANDS-ON TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, THERE IS ACTUALLY MORE OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THAT AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE PROGRAM TELLS US A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> OVER THE PAST YEAR WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO PARTNER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND THE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY ON THE SKILLS FOR TODAY PROGRAM AND WE OFFERED THREE COURSES TO OUR COMMUNITY WORKING ON DISASTER RECOVERY GRANT PROJECTS ARE WE OFFERED GRANT MANAGEMENT AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND DATA SCIENCE AND HERE IN THE INNOVATION CENTER WE HAVE A BRAND-NEW PROGRAM THE FAA PRIVATE PILOTS AND DRONE PILOT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND CURRENTLY THE PROGRAM IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO HER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HERE IN THE TERRITORY, BUT AFTER WE GET THROUGH THE FIRST YEAR, WE OPEN UP TO EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY.

AS YOU MAY KNOW, BEING ABLE TO UTILIZE DRONES DURING DISASTERS IS REALLY CRITICAL TO RECOVERY EFFORTS.

ONCE INDIVIDUALS BECOME CERTIFIED, THEY COMMERCIALLY FLY DRONES TO ASSIST IN RESCUE EFFORTS OR ASSESS PROPERTY EFFORTS OR BRING AWARENESS TO THE PUBLIC AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.

WE ALSO HAVE THE CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM HERE SO INDIVIDUALS CAN GET CERTIFIED WAY UP TO EXECUTIVE CHEF AND THAT PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE THROUGH SPONSORSHIP BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

IF YOU´RE INTERESTED, YOU CAN SIGN UP IN THE PROGRAM ALSO FEATURES A STUDENT RUN RESTAURANT CALLED WILD SAGE WHICH WILL BE REOPENING LATER ON THIS MONTH.

AGAIN, THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CERTIFICATION COURSES THAT YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF .

IF YOU QUALIFY FOR FINANCING, THEY ARE ABLE TO COVER YOUR TUITION FOR YOU AND WE DO ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE THROUGH UBI CELL.

>> I WILL CHARGE YOU FOR ALL OF THAT AND DOCTOR FAULKNER I WILL FORGE MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE SO I CAN GET INTO A CLASS AND YOU CAN HOOK ME UP BECAUSE IT´S ONLY AVAILABLE TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RIGHT NOW BUT I WAS FASCINATED TO SEE SOME OF MY STAFF WENT AWAY TO LEARN ABOUT USING DRONE SO WE ARE PROVIDING THAT HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

WE HAVE JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME LEFT AND WE CAN´T CLOSE WITHOUT SHARING HER CONVERSATION WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY AND WE TOOK TO THE STREETS AS USUAL TO FIND OUT WHAT RESIDENCE ARE THINKING ABOUT THE INITIATIVES AND HOW THEY CAN BE IMPROVED AND SHARE THEIR IDEAS.

SO HERE IS WHAT THEY SAID.

OR WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY OVERALL IN GENERAL AND WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT INITIATIVES HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

>> I THINK THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR NEEDS TO FOCUS MORE ON THE AGE BRACKET BETWEEN 18 AND 25 BECAUSE IN RECENT MONTHS IN MY COMMUNITY, THE RISE OF CRIME.

I THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS MORE AND HAVE NICE PROGRAMS THAT ADVERTISE AND MAKE THE PAY REASONABLE.

>> I THINK JUST CONNECTING WITH UVI AND DON´T KNOW WHAT THEY WANT TO GET INTO AND DABBLE IN EXCEL AND WORD OR WHATEVER PROGRAMS THAT COULD BE BENEFICIAL TO BUSINESSES OUT HERE IN THE WORKFORCE AND THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL SO THAT WHEN YOU DO WANT TO HIRE, THESE PEOPLE HAVE THE BASIC SKILLS.

>> EVERY KIND OF OPPORTUNITY FROM ARCHITECT AND FIREMEN TO PLUMBING, ELECTRICIAN, CARPENTRY, MECHANICAL, AND WELDING.

>> GREAT.

A LOT OF WHAT THE SAID IS HAPPENING.

OR DO YOU THINK THERE IS ACTUALLY MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO MORE?

>> THERE ARE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO MORE AND WE WELCOME FEEDBACK BECAUSE MY TEAM HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT THAT AGE GROUP BASED ON THE YOUTH CONSIDERED 17 TO 24 AND THAT IS THE FEDERAL DEFINITION.

WE DO MAKE SURE WE HAVE PROGRAMS THAT START FROM 14 AND 15-YEAR-OLD PROGRAMS AND 16 TO 2425 WOULD BE THE SUMMER PROGRAMS WE DO AS WELL AS WE HAVE THE LABOR INVESTING FOR TOMORROW, LIFT, WHICH IS AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM WHICH IS FOR THE COLLEGE JUNIORS AND SENIORS.

WE DO RECOGNIZE WE HAVE TO DO A LOT MORE AND WE HAVE AN INITIATIVE THAT WE ARE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO START GOING IN WITH THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO BE ABLE TO EXPOSE HER YOUNG PEOPLE TO MORE OF THE PROFESSIONS AND MORE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE RIGHT HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

>> WE WILL STOP THERE AND WE ASKED HOW THE TERRITORY CAN INCREASE DISSIPATION IN THESE PROGRAMS AND BRING MORE YOUNG PEOPLE BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE AND TAKE A LOOK.

>> I THINK THEY SHOULD REACH OUT TO A MAJORITY OF PEOPLE AND THEIR PASSIONS ARE AND GO FROM THERE.

>> REACH OUT TO THE PUBLIC AND THE SKILLED WORKERS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WE NEED TO HAVE BETTER WAGES AND HAVE A UNION TO REPRESENT THE WORKFORCE >> WE NEED MORE CAREER DAYS AND NOT JUST CAREER DAYS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE IT FUN.

>> I ALSO THINK WE SHOULD DO A BETTER JOB TRACKING WHEN PEOPLE GET THEIR DEGREES AND WHAT THEY ARE AND BECAUSE I THINK WE DO PUT OUT A LOT OF GREAT TALENT AND HOW MANY ENGINEERS DO WE PRODUCE OR COMPUTER SCIENTISTS DO WE PRODUCE?

THERE SHOULD BE A DATABASE TO BE ABLE TO CALL SOMEBODY AND SAY DO YOU WANT TO COME HOME BECAUSE WE HAVE A GREAT JOB FOR YOU VERSUS HAVING TO BRING SOMEBODY FROM THE MAINLAND WHO ONLY COMES AND STAYS FOR A YEAR BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT USED TO THE CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT AND I THINK PEOPLE WOULD LOVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO WORK AT HOME IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THAT DATABASE AND REACH OUT TO THEM AND GIVE THEM ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE BECAUSE WHO CAN DO IT BETTER THAN US?

IS BETTER THAN US.

>> I LOVE THAT AND I SAW YOUR EYES LIGHT UP, DOCTOR FAULKNER AND WHAT YOU THINK?

>> I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THEY ARE SAYING AND THE RAFAEL SKILLS CENTER AND SEATAC ARE THE BEST-KEPT SECRETS AND I KEEP TELLING MY TEAM WE WILL DO AN AGGRESSIVE MARKETING CAMPAIGN.

WE HAVE EVERY SINGLE PROGRAM THAT THEY ACTUALLY IDENTIFIED AND WE HAVE ELECTRICAL.

WE HAVE HVAC AND WE HAVE MEDICAL MASSAGE THERAPY AND WE ARE BRINGING ON A MEDICAL AESTHETICIAN AND WE HAVE 19 ROBUST PROGRAMS AND EMT AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT YOU ENCOUNTER EVERY DAY GRADUATE FROM HER PROGRAMS AND WE DO ON- THE-JOB TRAINING AND WE ENROLL THEM OR ENGAGE THEM IN THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM THROUGH THE POST SECONDARY TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS WITHIN ST. CROIX AND ST. THOMAS DISTRICT.

WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF GETTING THE WORD OUT TO THE PUBLIC AND THAT THEY KNOW THAT THESE THINGS ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IS ACTIVE ONLINE AND COMMISSIONER, WHERE SHOULD JOBSEEKERS GO TO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES?

>> THE KEY THING TO LOOK AT IS THE SYSTEM AT OUR WEBSITE AND THEN OF COURSE WE ALWAYS POST OF THE HOT JOBS WHERE WE PULL OUT AND FEATURE THOSE HOT JOBS AND OF COURSE PLEASE COME INTO THE OFFICE IF YOU DO HAVE ANY ISSUES.

>> HOT JOBS.

ALL RIGHT.

>> YOU KNOW, IF YOU´RE LOOKING FOR A JOB, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT THOSE HOT JOBS.

WE SPOKE TO THE GOVERNOR AT THE WORKFORCE SUMMIT.

I THINK IT IS VERY POIGNANT TO CLOSE WITH HIS COMMENTS.

TAKE A LISTEN.

>> IT IS UP TO YOU AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISION TO SEIZE THE MOMENT AND GRAB WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU, WHETHER IT IS A FREE EDUCATION OR FREE TRAINING, OPPORTUNITIES TO START AN APPRENTICESHIP IN THE WORKFORCE AT ANY LEVEL.

DO KEEP AN EYE ON THE VISION OF WHERE YOU ARE GOING ON THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE TODAY IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR A WHILE.

SO EXPOSING THEM AND INSPIRING PEOPLE TO DO MORE AND SEIZE THE MOMENT IS WHAT IT IS ABOUT.

>> YOU´RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, GOVERNOR AND WE DO HOPE THIS EPISODE INSPIRED YOU TO SEIZE YOU TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS OR A PERSON YOU KNOW LIKE A COUSIN OR FRIEND WHO JUST NEEDS A LITTLE PUSH TO GET STARTED.

I AM SO PLEASED TO HAVE ALL OF YOU TODAY TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO US AND WE EXPECT $15 BILLION WORTH OF CONSTRUCTION OVER THE NEXT MAYBE 10 YEARS.

AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE WORKFORCE AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE PEOPLE IN PLACE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET READY BY TRAINING AND MAKING SURE FOLKS ARE AWARE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE OUT THERE.

I KNOW THAT IS A CHALLENGE FOR US.

WE HEAR THEM SAYING YOU NEED TO HAVE THIS OR YOU NEED TO PROVIDE MORE OF THIS AND THESE SERVICES DO ACTUALLY EXIST LIKE FOR INSTANCE WHAT YOU DO OVER THERE AT SEATAC.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, IF THE PUBLIC WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE AT OUR POST SECONDARY AND ADULT EDUCATION TECHNICAL TRAINING PROGRAMS, THEY CAN FEEL FREE TO EMAIL AT THE ADDRESS ON YOUR SCREEN OR GIVE ME A CALL AT 340, 740 ZERO 100 EXTENSION 8901.

>> MOTHERS, IF YOU DO HAVE A SON WHO MAY BE ON THE COUCH OR WIVES IF YOU HAVE A HUSBAND THAT IS DEMOTIVATED, MAKE SURE YOU CALL OR BRING THEM AND BRING THEM, BRING HIM OR HER IN THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE AND REALLY WANT TO GET READY FOR.

MICHELLE, YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD ON A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES AND HE SPENT $10 MILLION AND YOU HAVE TRAINING AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE VALIDATED THAT YOU HAVE TRAINED THEM AND WHAT IS NEXT?

>> WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN YOUR FACE TO LET YOU KNOW WORKFORCE, WORKFORCE, WORKFORCE AND LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY AND STAY TUNED FOR OUR CAREER FAIRS AND JOB FAIRS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WILL DO MORE TARGETED OUTREACH AS WELL AS OUR WEBSITES ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND ALSO PAY ATTENTION TO THE HOT JOBS BECAUSE YOU DO SEE THAT IS HOW WE TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EMPLOYERS WHO ARE POSTING ARE LETTING YOU KNOW THAT THEY ARE READY TO HIRE.

>> THAT IS A REQUIREMENT FOR ALL BUSINESSES IN THE TERRITORY TO POST NEW VACANCIES.

>> WHERE IS THE DEMAND?

>> IT IS IN DESTRUCTION -- CONSTRUCTION AND IN THE PROJECT THAT OUR EXISTING AS WELL AS HOSPITALITY AS WELL AS I.T.

AND HEALTHCARE AND THE MARINE INDUSTRY AND THOSE OF THE MAJOR AREAS WHERE WE DO SEE AN INFLUX.

>> SURE.

AND FROM YOUR VANTAGE POINT?

>> THE ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS THAT EVERYBODY QUALIFIES FOR SUCCESS WHERE NOT EVERYBODY KNOWS THE PAST TO WE DO HERE, I WOULD SAY TODAY IS A GUARANTEED PATH TO SUCCESS NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF PROGRAMS BUT THE TIMING WE HAVE NOW AND WE HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITY NOW THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST 50 YEARS AND ANY OF THESE PROGRAMS IS A GUARANTEED PATH TO SUCCESS.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT A LOTS OF OPPORTUNITY AND A LOT OF TRAINING AND MOTIVATED PEOPLE WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNOR AND WIVES AND MOTHERS AND EVERYONE GETTING READY FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THIS TERRITORY AND THE DATA SAYS WE ARE GOING TO NEED ABOUT 5000 TO 7000 NEW WORK YEARS --WORKERS SO WE GET THE UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN TO 1% AND WE STILL NEED TO 5000 MORE WORKERS.

MAKE SURE TODAY YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE AND PREPARE ON WHAT IS COMING BECAUSE IT ISN´T ABOUT LUCK AND HOW YOU DEFINE IS WHEN OPPORTUNITY MEETS WITH PREPAREDNESS AND THAT IS SO CRITICAL.

WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU FOR TUNING IN AND JOINING US FOR ANOTHER INFORMATIVE DISCUSSION AND ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF RECOVERY AND FOCUS.

UNTIL THEN, MORE INFORMATION AND YOU CAN VISIT US ONLINE OR KEEP THE DISCUSSION GOING ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE .

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE.