June 27, 2001 – Fifty-four V.I. government employees from 22 departments and agencies are getting specialized training via computer, taking just a few of literally thousands of courses that are available from the U.S. Department of Interior.
The Personnel Division launched the on-line training program earlier this month.
"The pilot will run for four months and is divided into three phases," Personnel director Joanne U. Barry said. "The first phase targets the government information technology professionals."
These individuals, she said, are taking courses in Cisco Internetworking Technologies and Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices. Upon completing the courses and passing an examination, they will become Cisco Certified Network Architects. The CCNA is a "globally recognized certificate," Barry said.
The second phase of the program will be for employees who are volunteer trainers for Personnel's Virgin Islands Training Initiative program. They will enroll in Microsoft Word 2000 and Excel 2000 courses with the aim of becoming certified as Microsoft Office-user specialists.
The third phase is for Personnel staff and the personnel officers of various departments. They will take an on-line course in sexual harassment awareness and human resource management essentials.
In partnership with the Interior Department's National Business Center, Barry said, her division can offer more than 3,500 different training courses in technical and soft skills to V.I. government employees at reduced cost. The courses are offered through Interior's on-line DOI University.
For more information, see Information Technology or Skillsoft Courses.
