The students with Minister of Culture, Dr Frank Anthony and others yesterday.

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training Programme Friday graduated 178 students at Kuru Kuru Training Centre on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Minister of Culture, Dr Frank Anthony applauded the graduates for their success and the instructors for their sterling efforts.

He also outlined plans for the institution in which the curriculum will be improved and be more reflective of societal needs, and for it to be on par with the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ).

The minister added that the next batch of students will benefit from the CVQ.

He said that next year the campus will have electricity; and a programme is ongoing for the improvement of the dormitories. There will also be a development resource centre with computers, a lab, and a library by next year.

The Minister challenged the Assistant Director of Youth, Franklin Lynch to come forward with a master plan for the centre.

He said, “The institution is not static; they have had improvements, have adopted the equivalent best practice for the centre, and created an Alumni body for students to keep in contact”.

Minister Anthony also urged the centre to create its own website and perhaps try to make small loans available to support students who will venture into businesses.

The Minister said that the next batch of students will be 70 more than the 2008-2009 batch.

The Minister pleaded with the students to be good ambassadors in their communities and set a good example in society.

The Best Graduating Student, Jumal Hamilton.

He also thanked all partners, including UNICEF, UN, UNDP, Peace Corp, IICA, and Food for the Poor for their continuous support.

Meanwhile, the Centre Administrator (ag) Mr. Dennis Gillis, who gave the course outline, said that it was one of the largest batch of students to graduate.

They were trained in both practice and theory, in eight specialised areas.

The best graduating student is Jumal Hamilton who credited his achievement to his dedication.

“I was simply surprised when I was awarded, but thankful,” he said yesterday, proudly holding his trophy and other prizes.

He said he plans to study for two more years and would like to secure a job at La Bonne Intention (LBI) Estate, East Coast Demerara.

Grace Daniels was awarded for her outstanding performance in Business Studies, with Kenny Morris in Carpentry, Jumal Hamilton in Electrical Installation, Dacia Cummings in Joinery, Aldwayn Denhert in Masonry, Shazad Mohamed in Motor Mechanics, Seon Shepherd in Plumbing and Sheet Metal, and Christopher Fiedtkou in Welding and Fabrication.

The most improved student award was presented to Joel Augustus.