GOVERNMENT continues to invest in the lives of youths across the country by empowering them with the necessary skills and knowledge needed for their individual development and contribution to nation building.

This was again manifested on Friday when 195 youths from across the 10 administrative regions graduated after completing the Youth Entrepreneurial and Skills Training (YEST) programme, at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre’s (KKTC) 14th graduation ceremony.

Twenty-eight youths also obtained their driver’s licence following the successful completion of the driving programme which was introduced last year.
The YEST programme targets unemployed and out-of-school youths between ages 16 and 25 for participation in technical vocational skills at the residential KKTC at Soesdyke. Areas of training offered include Welding and Fabrication, Information Technology, Garment Construction, Business Studies, Carpentry, Electrical Installation, Joinery, Masonry, Motor Mechanic and Plumbing. Remedial Mathematics and English, and a driving course are also offered among other extra- curricular activities.
Dr. Anthony congratulated the youths for their perseverance and for successfully completing the programme.
He said that while the students have gained a skilled and become certified, the Ministry’s award comes when the students are using the skills and contributing to the country’s economic development.
He urged the graduates to further their education at higher institutions such as the Government Technical Institutes and the University of Guyana.
“Look at the different opportunities that are available in Guyana and use the knowledge you have gained and create your own businesses….once you develop the skills and take the right risks, you can develop your own business. If you have that dream, passion and vision you can achieve anything and become one of the biggest entrepreneurs in Guyana,” Dr. Anthony told the graduands.
While applauding the students who received their driver’s licence, Minister Anthony announced that next year the institution will be upping the programme to ensure more persons can benefit.
The Ministry will also be working to upgrade the other programmes offered, improve the labs and other facilities and work towards accreditation.
Prizes were given out for best graduating student of Business Studies for which Ryan Reece copped the award, Sean Thomas, Carpentry; Royon Kingston, Electrical Installation; Mark Joseph, Furniture Making; Cynthia Narine, Garment Construction; Juilun Christian, Masonry; Lester Agard, Motor Mechanic; Uquail Williams, Plumbing and Sheet Metal and Irwin Bess, Welding and Fabrication.

Some of the students were also attached to agencies for work study. Several of them indicated their interest to join the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), while Demerara Distillers Limited indicated that they will be employing at least two students.
Mark Joseph was awarded best student, with Royon Kingston, the runner-up. Prizes were also given out for best behaved and most improved student, and students who excelled in the driving course.
“I would like to say thanks to the Ministry of Youth for this opportunity and supporting me through this programme so that I can be successful,” said the top student, Mark Joseph who hails from Region 7, Upper Mazaruni.
Joseph who completed the Joinery course said that he will be furthering his education in that area, and will be going back to his community and contribute to its development.
Meanwhile, Danella Davidson who completed the Electrical Installation course said that she felt proud to be graduating from the YEST programme.
“I enjoyed every part of it, and I would encourage others to come and have the same exposure and be independent when they leave here,” she said.
Since YEST’s introduction in 2000, a total of 2,080 young men and women have benefited from this programme, including this year’s batch.
The programme is also offered at the non-residential Sophia Training Centre, and the Smythfield Drop-in Centre at Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam.(GINA)
Captions: Yest 1 Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Permanent Secretary, Alfred King, Director of Youth, Julian Frank and Assistant Director of Youth, Bryan King, and staff of the Kuru Kuru Training Centre (KKTC), and graduating students