Roadtown, Tortola - The Department of Human Resources will host a Summer Apprenticeship Programme for college and university students beginning June 1, 2009.

The programme is designed to give college and university juniors and seniors the opportunity to participate in a structured work-to-learn programme which will tie into the Department of Human Resources Administrative/Professional Cadet Programme.

Director of Human Resources Mr. David Archer told the Department of Information and Public Relations his department is “excited about this programme and its intentions, as we have realised how important programmes of this nature are to the continuity of the public service. We are hopeful that the apprentices will have an informative and rewarding experience, and the ministries and departments that are involved will reap the benefits of this programme.”

Human Resources Manager for Strategic Succession Planning, Ms. Kaisa Penn said the programme will provide an opportunity for apprentices to work on a meaningful initiative, project or programme, which should provide them with the practical experience and exposure to better understand and utilise their academic training.

Ms. Penn said “the major objectives of the programme are to allow participants the opportunity to experience the theoretical component of their studies in a practical environment; allow for a better understanding of how the organisation they are assigned to operates; work on and provide support for the progression or completion of a specific project or programme within the organisation; and provide a clearer understanding of the business of the Virgin Islands public service.”

Ms. Penn added that the programme will also give ministry and department heads the opportunity to preview the talent of the future workforce for consideration for employment as part of their succession planning activities. Equally, the programme is meant to give students the chance to assess the type of careers that are available within the public service while at the same time evaluating the environment of the work place.”

Students taking part in the Summer Apprenticeship Programme will be attached to ministries and departments that are related or linked to their present course of study, which will allow them to be mentored by the management of the ministry, department or unit.

One of the goals of the Department of Human Resources is to transform the public service into a World Class Public Service and the Summer Apprenticeship Programme is one of the many initiatives the department has implemented in their quest for “continuous change”.