The University of the Virgin Islands is creating new opportunities for residents to gain professional certifications and workforce skills without leaving the territory.
Recent advancements at both the UVI Medical Simulation Center on St. Croix and the UVI Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (UVI CELL) are helping make career training more accessible in high-demand fields, including emergency medical services, aviation and drone operations.
At the UVI Medical Simulation Center, more Virgin Islanders can now access financial assistance to pursue Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training through workforce development funding. The expansion comes as the Center celebrates another successful EMT training cohort, with 10 residents earning national certification. Impressively, every graduate passed the certification exam on the first attempt.
UVI is also making it easier for residents to earn aviation and drone-related credentials. Through a new partnership, UVI CELL is now an authorized Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) testing center on both the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. Residents, students and professionals can now complete required FAA exams locally, eliminating the need for costly off-island travel.
The new testing center supports certifications for pilots, aviation technicians and drone operators. These credentials have growing applications across industries including public safety, transportation, tourism, construction, environmental research and media production.
Together, these milestones reflect UVI's commitment to strengthening the Virgin Islands workforce and expanding access to career-focused education. By bringing training, testing and professional certification opportunities closer to home, the University continues to help residents build skills, advance their careers and contribute to the economic growth and resilience of the territory.