Bryan, Labor Department official sign certificate establishing Virgin Islands teacher apprenticeship program

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. joined U.S. Department of Labor Administrator John V. Ladd, Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington, University of the Virgin Islands President Safiya George and other organizers in St. Thomas on Jan. 14, 2025, for the launch of the Virgin Islands Teacher Apprenticeship Program.

Government House said Bryan and Ladd signed a certificate establishing the program.

According to the release, Wells-Hedrington said the territory's teacher shortage was part of a broader problem affecting many communities. Bryan said certification was one of the biggest hurdles for workers and described teaching as a field in which workers would be able to advance as future employment opportunities arise.

UVI professors Karen H. Brown and Andrea Dorsey were identified as core organizers of the program, along with Michelle Day of Equus Workforce Solutions, which Government House said would provide ongoing support.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-and-u-s-department-of-labor-administrator-john-ladd-sign-certificate-establishing-vi-teacher-apprenticeship-program/