Luxury resort opens doors to BVI vocational students through new mentorship scheme

Peter Island Resort and the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies (VISTS) have joined forces to establish the Peter Island Resort Tourism Club, a new initiative aimed at giving students a pathway from the classroom into the hospitality sector.

The scheme will pair VISTS learners in culinary, hospitality, cosmetology and auto mechanics with guidance from Peter Island Resort's senior staff. Students will attend training sessions run by the resort's chefs, department heads, mixologists, spa professionals and engineers, and make regular trips to the island to observe how luxury hospitality operates in practice. Older students will get the chance to undertake paid work experience at the resort to strengthen their employment prospects.

Wilbert A. Mason, General Manager at Peter Island Resort, said the collaboration fills a real need. "Tourism is our main industry, yet too many graduates are not yet prepared to step into a luxury hospitality setting," he said. "Our young people deserve a real, game-changing connection between the classroom and the hospitality industry."

The initiative is already active. Last week, the first group of VISTS students toured The Spa at Peter Island, joined by Doneisha Maduro Findlay, VISTS' Technical Department Head. The visit included staff from the resort's human resources and sales and marketing teams.

Findlay said the outing went better than anticipated. "We are grateful for the warm hospitality shown to our students and staff, and we trust this will be the beginning of many more opportunities to work together," she said.

The Tourism Club will roll out gradually over the 2026-2027 school year, aligned with the school calendar and students' Caribbean Vocational Qualification coursework. Enquiries can be directed to Tywanna Andrew, Sales and Marketing Coordinator at Peter Island Resort.