Congratulations to all of this year’s graduates. Whether they earned a high school diploma, a technical certificate or a university degree, they have achieved an important milestone in their lives.

 

For those entering the workforce, we are happy to say that the outlook seems reasonably bright.

The economy appears to be recovering steadily from the global recession: Though no unemployment statistics are available in the Virgin Islands, rates are dropping in the United Kingdom, the United States, and the broader Caribbean. Meanwhile, the territory has seen a steady increase in overnight visitors, the lifeblood of the tourism industry.

This news bodes well for VI graduates.

However, this is not to say that the going will be easy. Following therecession, there is bound to be a glut of young people seeking employment in the territory.

Moreover, the VI’s prominent place in an increasingly global marketplace means that graduates have to compete with some of the most accomplished professionals from around the world.

Thus, no one should expect to walk out of school directly into a high-paying, senior position. On the contrary, graduates will have to work hard and take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way.

Fortunately, opportunities are many in this territory:

• Jobs are plentiful here, be they in tourism, financial services or another field, and employers are required by law to give first preference to belongers.

• There is a growing range of classes available at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, including technical programmes and higher degrees offered through affiliated institutions abroad.

• Besides providing free tuition at HLSCC for belongers, the government offers a variety of scholarships and loan programmes that can be used for studying abroad.

• Government also has established an Employment Services Unit and other support systems for jobseekers.

• Online courses from universities around the world make higher education more accessible than ever before.

Even with these opportunities, however, some youths are falling through the cracks. Young men are particularly vulnerable, it seems: Though HLSCC’s co-valedictorians this year were both men, their graduating class was less than 30 percent male, reflecting a long-term trend at the college.

The entire community should take responsibility for guiding young people in the right direction. Most importantly, perhaps, this means encouraging them to obtain the necessary education and to work hard.

Meanwhile, businesses and government should redouble efforts to provide internships and other training opportunities.

Ultimately, however, the territory’s graduates will have to take responsibility for their own future.

We wish them all the luck in the world.

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