Dept. of Labor Promises to Use $20 Million Budget Ask to Continue Workforce Development

The current budget supports fewer youth participants than in FY2023, when additional funds from ARPA allowed VIDOL to accommodate over 1,000 young people

The V.I. Dept. of Labor has pledged to utilize its FY2025 budget request of $20,145,247 to further workforce development initiatives, including competitive youth programs. This commitment comes as the Office of Management and Budget has recommended a General Fund appropriation of $13,637,468 for DOL, inclusive of the Government Insurance Miscellaneous Project.

The remainder of the budget includes $6,316,058 from various federal grants and an estimated $191,722 from penalties and interest owed to the department. Labor Commissioner Gary Malloy shared a detailed breakdown of the General Fund allocation with the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance last week, highlighting that $4,441,246 is earmarked for personnel services, with associated fringe benefits costing $4,408,343, inclusive of $2,500,000 towards employer contributions. Supplies will account for $472,902, while other services will cost $4,074,146. Utility costs are estimated at $240,831.