– Participants to get free tools
OVER 60 single parents are now ready for the world of work after a training programme conducted by the Ministry of Labour in catering and garment construction.

A collection of the colourful clothing created by the group of women trained in garment manufacturing.

The training was held at the Tuschen Masjid Complex, East Bank Essequibo, and facilitated by the Ministry’s Board of Industrial Training.

Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir, who visited the complex Monday, announced that the participants will each benefit from $50,000 worth of tools to effectively conduct their trade.

“We not only provided you with the training, but we also wanted to give you the tools of the trade. Those in garment construction will get sewing machines and those in catering will be given utensils and other cooking equipment before Christmas,” Minister Nadir said.

He noted that the Government of Guyana has made good on yet another promise to assist those on the Single Parents Register and who specifically requested training.

Government has budgeted $25M this year for single parents who requested different types of assistance in areas of cosmetology, catering and garment construction.

Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir poses with the 61 women who participated in the training courses for single parents.

Almost 2,000 persons were assisted with daycare vouchers of $9,000 and everyone in need of various forms of support was given a chance to register.

“It would be unfair to train those who are not registered and leave those who took time out to register and ask for training.”

However, Minister Nadir commented that there will be another opportunity for others to register as single parents.

He praised the participants on their eagerness to develop a skill that would supplement the family income and added that they can form themselves into a cooperative or can work from home.

“With hard work and discipline, you can earn a steady stream of income. Some of you might be comfortable working from home where you can supervise the housework and keep an eye on your children.”

Minister Nadir challenged the women to perfect their skills in order to produce some of the school uniforms which government spends $60M annually sourcing from overseas.

He also urged the parents to expand the potential of their out-of-school youths by enrolling them in the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board, Alana Brassington, said that 66 persons enrolled for classes with 38 completing the caterers’ course and 23 being taught garment construction.

Only five of the women discontinued classes for varying reasons.

Brassington said that 372 of the single parents will graduate by February 2010.

The women will also benefit from lectures next week on small business enterprise and forming cooperatives. (GINA)