Government’s strategy to reduce unemployment and improve the living standard of the less fortunate was highlighted Monday when 266 out-of-school youths and single parents received certification in various fields of skills training from the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand delivers the feature address at the graduation exercise. (Curtis Seetal Photos)

The graduation exercise was held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) for 112 participants in the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) and 154 persons on the Single Parents Training Programme, including a lone male.

Delivering the feature address, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, urged the graduates to apply themselves and utilise the skills and equipment given them to their full advantage.

Minister Manickchand assured the gathering of government’s continued commitment to reducing poverty through differing means, adding that “none will be left behind”.

She noted that many persons become vulnerable for varied reasons and are forced to raise children without the contribution of the other parent.

For this reason, the government decided to establish the National Single Parent Register in 2008 and took into consideration the types of assistance requested.

“We learnt from you the interventions that you needed and where we could have assisted you to better provide for your families and becoming better parents,” Minister Manickchand said.

Employed mothers requested assistance with daycare expenses while unemployed parents sought skills training.

The single parents were trained in Childcare, Care for the Elderly, Pharmacy Bond Clerk, Medical Records, Health Care, Cosmetology, Sewing, Catering, Office Procedures and Information Technology.

The NTPYE graduates received training in various disciplines including joinery, auto mechanics, plumbing, carpentry, welding, electrical and computer repairs.

Minister Manickchand mentioned that after their certification, the graduates will receive equipment to begin their trade and whether or not the employment serves as the main source of income, the aim is to improve their standards of living.

Delivering the charge was Project Manager of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Trevor Clark, who challenged the graduates to keep learning new skills. UNDP has partnered with government to ensure that unemployment is reduced.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Project Manager, Trevor Clark delivering the charge to the graduates.

Clark said he noticed a large display of enthusiasm among the group, adding that he was confident in their ability to succeed.

He encouraged the parents of the NTPYE graduates to continue to propel them towards success and applauded their willingness in allowing them to be trained.

Chairman of BIT, Dr Dale Bisnauth, paid tribute to the charges who, he said, have upgraded their status in a variety of ways.

Dr Bisnauth stated that development is about improvement in every aspect of life, including housing, education, health and economics; but most importantly, about improving people.

He explained that it was this realisation which prompted government towards equipping its citizens with the necessary skills to make quality contributions to both personal and national development.

“Having made use of this opportunity, you would go on to become productive citizens,” Dr Bisnauth said.

NTPYE Project Coordinator Coreen Connelly, in her project report, stated that the graduates represent the final batch of trainees for Regions Three and Four in 2009.

A group of single parents pose for a photograph after the BIT graduation for single parents and youths. December 21, 2009

She disclosed that it was challenging to work in a learning environment with adults but the project has seen a success.

Connelly said 971 persons have been trained so far from eight of the 10 regions, bringing the total NTPYE trained persons to 1,083.

The project coordinator said the Board has already exceeded its target with 372 single parents graduating from an initial count of 412. (GINA)