A registration drive set to kick off next week is designed to bring employment, training and education opportunities to unemployed residents in the Virgin Islands, government announced Tuesday.

The effort is part of the Registration, Apprenticeship, Training, Employment and Development Programme known as RATED, which provides temporary employment in the public service.

The new sub-initiative — dubbed “Coming to a District Near You” — will be held from Monday through Jan. 31 in every electoral district, according to Government Information Services.

The programme is open to Virgin Islanders and belongers between the ages of 18 and 70 who are unemployed or employed part-time.

Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley praised the programme.

“This is yet further proof that we are on our way to achieving our goals through the RATED programme, which is to change lives, enhance skills and develop future entrepreneurs, one person at a time,” he said in a GIS press release.

He added that government plans to develop the programme further to provide more opportunities.

Ronald Smith-Berkeley, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, urged residents to register.

“So far the RATED programme has made its mark in the lives of many Virgin Islanders and belongers who have had an opportunity to participate in the programme, and some of whom have been able to secure permanent employment,” he said.

The registration drive is part of efforts to spread the word, he added.

Requirements

Applicants are asked to present documents including a Virgin Islands passport or belonger card, a National Health Insurance Card, and a Social Security Card. Anyone interested in office employment is also asked to present a resumé.

The RATED Programme is currently promoting jobs in areas including landscaping, bush cutting, painting, construction, carpentry, marine work, administration, data entry, communications and public relations, agriculture, fisheries, janitorial services, legal and professional services, real estate and hospitality.