U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Eight (8) interns at the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (“WAPA or “Authority”) recently presented to the WAPA leadership team during an end-of-internship event last week in the St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix districts. As part of the comprehensive presentations, WAPA engineering interns shared their completed summer projects and experience gained while at the Authority’s power generation, transmission and distribution, and water plant systems.

The engineering interns, also current scholarship recipients, from across the territory gave stellar slide deck presentations, including:

• Melvyn Fox- Production Maintenance, STX
• N’Kosi Benjamin- T&D/Design and Construction, STX
• Michael Dow, Jr.- Water Distribution/Design and Construction, STX
• Anjahlique Bowry- Water Distribution/Design and Construction, STT
• Dylon Smith- Project Management, STT
• Darrol Gooding- Project Management, STT
• Shaudae Richardson- Information Technology, STT
• Jalani Phillips, Jr.- Information Technology, STT

The Authority employed) thirty-nine (39) interns throughout the summer and while many of them will continue higher education at the University of the Virgin Islands and stateside colleges and universities in varying degrees, some interns will continue their internship through the first quarter of 2024. WAPA internships provide the youth with hands-on experience in a field of interest and/or professional development, including Information Technology, Mechanical, Civil and Electrical Engineering, Finance, Human Resources, and Communications. Though not all interns plan to join the Authority after graduating, some interns have noted their entrepreneurial spirit has been honed through the skills learned and experience within varying departments.

“I could not be prouder and more impressed by the interns’ presentations,” noted Sabrina King-Leonce, Human Resources Director. “The hard work demonstrated by these students throughout the summer and the commitment by their supervisors were evident during the day,” added Director King-Leonce.

Focusing on the youth through engaging internships, apprenticeships and a robust scholarship program are crucial to developing talent in the territory and retaining great minds to help build a brighter future of power and water at the Authority and for the people of the Virgin Islands.  Recap video of the intern presentations can be found at WAPA’s YouTube page: https://youtu.be/dNlveHuRQxU

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Communication’s department is committed to reaching, informing, and connecting with the youngest members of the community to the eldest, through meaningful, transparent and effective communication.

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