58 years of the GuySuCo apprentice school

Dear Editor,

THE 2nd of June each year always bring to me a feeling of nostalgia. You see, it was on that date in 1959, the Port Mourant Training Centre of Bookers Sugar Estate, now known as the Apprentice Training School, opened its doors to the third batch of apprentices. I was among that group and little did I know then, that I was embarking on a lifelong journey in the world of work that was to take me to the Bahamas and around the Caribbean. This journey lasted 44 consecutive years. Here in Guyana I worked in every factory except Diamond.

The apprentices who made up that batch were, and if I have omitted any name, I can assure you that it was not intentional; it is just that after 58 years my memory is not what it used to be. From Skeldon: Danny Hemchand (Cat eyes), Clement Hazel and Dennis Marks.
Albion/Port Mourant: Phillip Moha bir, Ivan Ramsaroop, Petam Sanichar, Sampat, Philbert Peters, Desmond Ramcharran and Walter Isaacs.
Rose Hall: Seepaul Jagoo (now deceased), Percy Munroe and Blairmont: Gordon Henry, Arjune Sookoo (the Domino Kid) and Sookra.

In the early days of the school the apprenticeship was of five years duration, at the end of which the City Guilds Examinations had to be written. Today, the programme is of a three-year duration. There was no hostel and female apprentices were not on the radar but later on all that changed.

Apprentices therefore had to find their own place of abode and out of the huge sum of $6.72, which each apprentice started with, I had to pay $3.00 for my upkeep.

As the 58th Anniversary of our entry to the centre looms, I am curious to learn how life unfolded for my colleagues. I would therefore be glad if any of them reading this letter can contact me at Lot 75 East Canje Settlement, East Canje, Berbice where I reside with my family.

Regards
Percy Munroe

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