Nine women living in the Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two are now more empowered, having completed training in cosmetology, compliments of the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Department of Culture and Youth, Region Two.

According to Culture and Youth Officer Herald Alves, the training sessions were organised by the Department of Culture and Youth, Region Two, with the aim of providing the women with future employment opportunities.

Alves said it was part of the department line of training programmes geared at engaging youths and to further develop their skills.

“We want to ensure that those women who are not academically qualified have the requite skills needed to open a small cottage industry or to open their own salon where they can earn and fend for themselves and families,” Alves said.

He said the Pomeroon area was selected, since it was observed that many females were unemployed. He further explained that the Marlborough Youth Group provided the names for the women to be trained and sessions were conducted.

They were educated on how to conduct pedicures, manicures and hairstyles. The women also graduated from the course with a certificate. Alves said the same certificate can be used for employment purposes. The women did a six-week training course which commenced in August and concluded in September.

Most of the women were thankful for the skills gained during the six-week programme and praised the Ministry of Social Cohesion and the Department of Culture and Sports for providing them with the opportunity.