FORTY three apprentices from the Guyana Sugar Corporation Training Centre at Port Mourant, Corentyne, shared multiple distinctions and credits at the institution’s 49th annual graduation ceremony Friday afternoon. The survivors of the 2006 class received their certificates after successfully completing the Government Technical Education Examination in six disciplines, which earned them 100% passes at the 2009 examinations.
Areas of study were Agri Mechanic, Installation Repair Mechanic, Auto Electrical, Fitter Machinist, Electrician and Sugar boiling.
In addition to prizes being awarded for outstanding apprentices, Jacob Franklyn copped the prestigious Watson Award.
Ruel Jagroop, who gave the valedictory address, having copped a triple distinction in Auto Electrical and Installation Repair Mechanic, was previously given the Watson Award which has its genesis in 1975.
The Watson Award was named after Stan Howard, an Estate Manager who made known his Barbadian-born father-in-law’s wishes to give an award to an apprentice who had successfully completed two years of all round training .
Watson came to then British Guiana in 1906, where he lived until 1938. During his tenure he served as an overseer at Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast, before being promoted to Albion Estate on the Corentyne.
The award is given to an individual who displays excellence in craftsmanship, Physical Education, class work, discipline, and personality among other qualities
In his comprehensive report, newly-appointed Manager Lall D.Persaud told those gathered that the learning institution stands ready to create minds to maintain survival tools, to adapt to the dynamics of globalization and to harness trainees’ physical and mental faculties.
“As our competitors utilize available technology, we are obliged to quit pondering and act. They mechanized and we are forced to; they adapt and we ought to; they embrace the frontiers of technology and we must respond,” he said.
The Manager, a graduate from the training school, said globalised trade “compels us to retool, and we envision our role, which will allow us to relentlessly seek to offer the best training of our apprentices.”
Within three years time, he said, “we will be equipped with the resources to deliver world class training”.
Persaud said the Technical Vocational Educational Training being implemented by all Caribbean Community member states, will replace the local Government Technical Examination, which is of an international standard.
“The curriculum will be redefined to meet the needs of mechanization. We aim to upgrade our workshop, classroom and hostel facilities. It is important that our apprentices be trained in computer drawing, saving enormous man hours, even as we maximize the charitable spirits of our alumni overseas to bridge the gap and gain access in breakthrough technology”, he said.
Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud, who arrived during the distribution of certificates and special prizes, in an emotional presentation, pleaded with the GuySuCo staff to change their work culture and renew their commitment to the sugar industry.
“We have to develop a culture of doing more for the industry. It does not belong to the British, or Booker, but our own, we must give a little”, he urged.
“We must renew commitment. Change must be in work culture, at all levels, and the graduates must be the torchbearers of change. Do what is right for the industry, not PPP/C…but the people of Guyana”, he stated.
He said the government is initiating discussions with Cuba to source technicians so that every piece of the sugar cane can be used.
“If we have to source persons we will do it. We will spare no effort. Guyanese must be proud of the sugar industry. They must benefit, despite their location”, he asserted.
Others at the ceremony included Mr. Jai Petam, newly-appointed Director and Chairman of GuySuco, his deputy Rudrendra Singh, Regional Chairman Zulphikar Mustapha, and managers from the various estates in the country.
Mr. Petam, noted that while there is less than 20% retaining  of the apprenticeship, the corporation will continue to invest in the institution which has an annual budget of $150M, and pledged an additional $20M for capital expenditure to improve infrastructure.
He noted too, that the recent intake at the centre reflects half of the institution’s capacity but said the corporation will not compromise its discipline.
Valedictorian Jagroop told his fellow graduates, “You never know where you are going unless you know where you have been”.
The 90-minute ceremony  was punctuated by an African dance done by an all male apprentice group, along with a  poetic piece titled ‘Life at GTC’, recited by Ryan Rampersaud and written by Luel David.