Bryan opens 2023 Workforce Development Summit in U.S. Virgin Islands

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. opened the third annual Governor’s Workforce Development Summit on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, with events held on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John, according to Government House.

Bryan, Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach and Labor Commissioner Gary Molloy took part in the opening session. The summit focused on workforce-development strategies and opportunities across the territory.

At the St. Croix session at Caribbean Cinemas, Bryan hosted a panel discussion titled "Leveraging Partnerships for Economic Growth and Sustainability." Panelists were Keith O’Neale Jr., president and chief executive of O’Neale’s Transport Inc.; Samuel Rey, president and chief executive of Host-U Services & Training Consultants; University of the Virgin Islands President David Hall; and Jed John Hope, chief executive of Strategy Finance Technology.

Government House said the discussion addressed workforce alignment with key industries, talent recruitment and retention, and the role of workforce development in economic growth. It also said the first day drew hundreds of attendees, including high school students from St. Croix and representatives of St. Croix businesses.

In remarks on Oct. 10, Bryan cited unemployment rates of 3.4% on St. Thomas and St. John and 3.7% on St. Croix, and said the territory had a need for skilled labor.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-albert-bryan-jr-kicks-off-the-2023-governors-workforce-development-summit/