Committee on Education and Workforce Development February 5, 2026 1 | Page COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DR. GARY MOLLOY COMMISSIONER FEBRUARY 5, 2026 Committee on Education and Workforce Development February 5, 2026 2 | Page Good Day, Honorable Senator Kurt Vialet, Chairman of the Committee on Education and Workforce Development; Honorable Members of the Committee; distinguished Senators of the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands; and the listening and viewing public. I am Dr. Gary Molloy, Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Labor (VIDOL). I am joined today by Assistant Commissioner Jean Forde, Director of Youth and Apprenticeship Shenika Sebastien, and Director of Workforce Development Services Charlene Hodge. We appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony regarding long-term summer employment opportunities and the broader continuum of youth workforce development initiatives administered by VIDOL. Youth Summer Employment Programs Currently Administered by VIDOL The Youth & Apprenticeship Division is responsible for the design and management of workforce initiatives serving individuals ages 14 to 25 throughout the year. The Division develops Individual Employment Plans and Service Strategies, provides referrals to service providers, and delivers structured youth services including career readiness training, resume development, financial literacy, and both paid and unpaid work experiences. Central to this framework is the Summer Youth Work Experience Program (SYWEP), a core component of our year-round youth strategy. SYWEP provides young Virgin Islanders with the opportunity to earn income while developing the skills, attitudes, and workplace competencies necessary to succeed in today’s economy. This approach ensures that summer employment is not merely a short-term job, but a structured learning experience connected to long-term career pathways. VIDOL currently administers three primary summer initiatives: the Summer Youth Work Experience Program for youth ages 16 to 25; the Career Exploratory Program for youth ages 14 to 15; and the Labor Investing for Tomorrow (LIFT) Internship Program for college juniors, seniors, graduate students, and recent graduates with at least 60 credits and a 2.8 grade point average. Collectively, these programs engage high school students, out-of-school youth, and post- secondary participants in meaningful work-based learning. In Summer 2025, VIDOL received Committee on Education and Workforce Development February 5, 2026 3 | Page 1,420 applications and successfully placed 722 participants, demonstrating both the strong demand for and the tangible impact of these initiatives. For 2026, the SYWEP model incorporates several evidence-based components designed to strengthen employability and career readiness. These include pre-employment virtual workshops in April 2026 focused on resume preparation, interview techniques, communication skills, and positive workplace behavior; a five-week paid work experience segment that places youth directly with employers; a Career Exploration Program operating from June 1 through June 26, 2026 for younger participants; and the LIFT Internship Program, which connects advanced students to professional environments aligned with their academic fields of study. The anticipated number of youth served in 2026 remains contingent upon the availability of additional funding; however, current planning targets more than 1,000 participants territory-wide. Participating Service Providers Successful youth employment requires collaboration with a broad network of community organizations, educational institutions, and private-sector employers. These partners provide mentorship, structured supervision, and exposure to high-growth industries. VIDOL continues to strengthen relationships with employers to ensure that placements are meaningful, skill-building, and aligned with labor market demand, thereby creating authentic pathways from education to employment. To maximize access and equity, VIDOL will implement a comprehensive outreach and marketing campaign. This effort will include press releases and social media features highlighting former SYWEP and LIFT participants, presentations at high schools and the University of the Virgin Islands, radio and newspaper advertisements, media appearances, and the distribution of program flyers and digital content. The online application portal at vidol.gov/youth will be open from February 16 to April 17, 2026, and both applicants and employers are encouraged to apply early due to the historically high volume of submissions. Committee on Education and Workforce Development February 5, 2026 4 | Page Breakdown of Summer Employment Budget The projected 2026 Summer Youth Employment Budget is $1,444,463.38, supporting an estimated 1,034 participants across all programs. These funds will cover stipends for Career Exploration participants, wages for SYWEP and LIFT interns, and supplemental assistance to service providers. VIDOL remains committed to leveraging both federal and local resources to expand opportunities while ensuring responsible stewardship of public funds. Beyond wages earned, SYWEP delivers measurable and lasting benefits. Participants demonstrate increased confidence and work readiness, improved communication and teamwork skills, enhanced problem-solving abilities, and stronger connections to employers. The program also contributes to a growing pipeline of Virgin Islands talent entering priority industries. These outcomes affirm that summer employment is a critical intervention for workforce attachment, academic persistence, and long-term economic mobility. Closing The Virgin Islands Department of Labor remains steadfast in its commitment to the youth of this Territory. Our programs in St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John are designed to ensure that every young person, regardless of background, has access to opportunity, mentorship, and meaningful employment. I extend sincere gratitude to the VIDOL staff, our employer partners, and this Legislative body for its continued investment in the next generation of Virgin Islands workers. We will now share brief video testimonials from participants and employers. Finally, VIDOL respectfully request your continued support of an important territorial initiative, the U.S. Virgin Islands Workforce Development Tour featuring Mr. Mark C. Perna, scheduled for February 6–11, 2026 on St. Thomas and St. Croix. This engagement builds upon the momentum of the Governor’s Workforce Development Summit and advances our shared goal of aligning education, workforce, and economic development systems to strengthen the USVI Talent Pipeline—Inform, Attract, Acquaint, Train, and Hire. Committee on Education and Workforce Development February 5, 2026 5 | Page The tour will include leadership deep-dives, student empowerment sessions, and employer roundtables designed to connect industry needs with local talent development. The testimony provided today is supported by the accompanying slides and informational flyers submitted as attachments. This concludes my testimony, and my team and I are prepared to answer any questions you may have. Committee on Education and Workforce Development February 5, 2026 6 | Page Attachments OVERVIEW Component of the year-round Youth Program Provide youth ages 14-24 with the opportunity to earn money while learning and developing the skills, attitudes, and commitment necessary to succeed in today’s workforce SYWEP Summer Youth Work Experience Program PREPARE PLACE Structured instruction & hands-on learning in career awareness, professional behavior, financial literacy, customer service, workplace safety, & communication skills Paid summer jobs & internships through subsidized & unsubsidized opportunities with both private- sector employers & government agencies Encourages positive behaviors, supports academic success, and prepares youth for post-secondary education and long-term career success STRENGTHEN Aim to: 2026 SYWEP PLANNED ACTIVITIES Pre-Employment Workshops Virtual Workshops - April 2026 (Resume Preparation, Interview Preparation, Communication Skills and Positive Workplace Behavior) Upcoming Deposits Career Exploration Program for youth 14-15 years old focusing on the development of employability and soft skills 4-Week Career Exploration Program CAREER EXPLORATION Paid work experience for youth 16-24 years old (In-School, Out-of-School, College & GRAD student) 5-Week Paid Work Experience WORK EXPERIENCE Labor Investing for Tomorrow (LIFT) Internship Program for eligible college juniors, seniors, graduates & Grad students. 8-Week Internship INTERNSHIP 150 Cost: $ 108,000.00 (per student: $720) 844 Cost: $ 1,191,461.78 (per student: $1,356.39 - $1,485.57 ) 40 Cost: $ 145,001.60 (per student: $3,625) *Anticipates Serving: 1034 Total Cost: $1,444,463.38 2026 *The anticipated number of youth served is contingent upon the availability of additional funding. Committee on Education and Workforce Development February 5, 2026 7 | Page Upcoming Deposits Planned Placement: Participants Category 150 ►Career Exploration Program ►Work Experience 600 In-School Youth (ISY) 170 Out-of-School Youth (OSY) 50 College – 1st | 2nd yr. 20 College – 3rd | 4th yr. 40 ►LIFT Internship 4 ►Staff 1,034 Total 2026 SYWEP PLANNED ACTIVITIES Deposits 2026 SYWEP PLANNED ACTIVITIES | CAREER EXPLORATION Career EXPLORATION Program Program Period: June 1, 2026 – June 26, 2026 Rate of Pay: $400 Stipend | 4 weeks Administered through Service Providers: Service Providers will be solicited and ten (10) provides will be selected to provide career exploration activities. Each selected Provider will be funded at a maximum of $4,800 Program Elements: Soft skills necessary for job success Labor market and employment information Career Interest Portfolio Leadership development opportunities Entrepreneurial skills training Postsecondary education and training Exposure to one or more occupational area preparation activities Committee on Education and Workforce Development February 5, 2026 8 | Page Upcoming Deposits 5-Week Paid Work EXPERIENCE Rate of Pay: ISY/OSY $10.50 COL 1st/2nd $11.00 COL 3rd/4th $11.50 Workshops o Pre-Employment Workshops o Career Readiness & Life Skills Program Period: May 18, 2026 – June 19, 2026 June 1, 2026 – July 3, 2026 June 15, 2026 – July 17, 2026 2026 SYWEP PLANNED ACTIVITIES |WORK EXPERIENCE Upcoming Deposits 2026 SYWEP PLANNED ACTIVITIES |INTERNSHIP Labor Investing For Tomorrow INTERNSHIP Program Rate of Pay: $14.00 8 weeks | 240 hours Workshops/Networking Opportunities Timeline: o Selection & Notification: April 20 - 24, 2026 o Internship Period: May - July 2026 Committee on Education and Workforce Development February 5, 2026 9 | Page 2026 SYWEP TIMELINE Press Release, Work Site and Project Solicitation FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG Online Application OPEN LIFT Internship & Work Experience Begins Participants & Supervisors Orientation Career Exploration Program Begins Selection & Notification of Participants Preparation of Per Diems SYWEP CLOSING Ceremony Application Period: February 16, 2026 - April 17, 2026 MARKETING Of Programs • Press Releases • Social Media • Ads of Former LIFT and SYWEP Participants • Presentations at High Schools and University • Radio and Newspaper Ads • Radio and Media Appearances Committee on Education and Workforce Development February 5, 2026 10 | Page 11 FLYERS Committee on Education and Workforce Development February 5, 2026 11 | Page Committee on Education and Workforce Development February 5, 2026 12 | Page Committee on Education and Workforce Development February 5, 2026 13 | Page