Senators continued the Oct. 31 hearing with a second block focused on long‑term youth opportunity: career and technical education (CTE), apprenticeships and recreation as part of a workforce pipeline.

Haldane Davies, director of the Bureau of Economic Research, framed the discussion with demographic and labor figures: a post‑2010 population decline, high child poverty (33 percent territorywide in 2020; 42 percent for children under 5 in St. Croix), and a local youth unemployment estimate cited from external sources (World Bank estimate for youth unemployment cited in testimony). Davies recommended a territorial youth policy, stronger career‑cluster alignment to Vision 2040 and shared dashboards to guide spending.

Victor Somme III (assistant commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education) reported about 10,263 public school students across the territory and a recent rise in the graduation rate to 83.9 percent (2024–25). The department described multiple dropout‑prevention measures — targeted credit recovery, in‑school suspension pilot tied to SEL programming, counselor cohort models and night/adult programs — and said secondary and post‑secondary CTE enrollment (about 5,002 secondary students) remains a priority.

Genevieve Whitaker, executive director of the Virgin Islands Board for Career and Technical Education, and board members described CTE pathways (health sciences, construction, culinary, aviation pilot programs, IT, maritime and more); a jump in instructor certification rates; and plans for virtual reality career‑exploration tools. The board asked the Legislature for a $600,000 appropriation to establish a dedicated CTE fund (Miss Lena Scholtebrand CTE Fund) to hire part‑time journeyman instructors, support paid internships and apprenticeships, repair equipment and create a shared CTE data dashboard.

Dr. Gary Malloy (commissioner, Department of Labor) described the territory’s youth pipeline and apprenticeship work. DOL runs a five‑stage model (career awareness K–8; exploration 9–12; work experiences/internships; occupational skills; registered apprenticeships). DOL reported stable second‑quarter placement rates (about 57–71% across program years) but said long‑term retention after exit is uneven and that wrap‑around supports (transportation, mentoring, continued training) are essential.

Renee Hansen (assistant commissioner, Sports, Parks & Recreation) said recreation centers and mobile outreach programs provide safe space, mentorship and internship opportunities in parks maintenance, event coordination and related jobs. DSPR asked for capital funding to modernize facilities, more staff and indoor gym capacity to run year‑round programming.

In response to senators, officials said Vivis and other data tools require refinement and a shared approach to cross‑agency reporting; that Perkins (federal CTE) funds are distributed by formula to districts but local appropriation would expand program options; and that a technical college initiative and expanded apprenticeships are in planning. The CTE board and Department of Education committed to follow‑up on Act 84‑34 funding, a request that the committee consider making the territorial CTE fund recurrent, and to provide more detailed cost and implementation plans.

No formal votes were taken. Agencies promised follow‑up documents, including detailed district CTE budgets, apprenticeship expansion plans and a proposed shared dashboard model.