PREPARING our youths for the world of work is one of the crucial tasks of any education system, as this has long-term socio-economic consequences. A well trained and equipped workforce would ensure that businesses and industries operate at optimal efficiency, which is vital in an increasingly competitive business environment.
Therefore that transitional period from school to the world of work is critical to the long term health of national economies, and as such, effective policies and programmes have to be in place to ensure youths receive adequate and relevant training in the skills and professions which are required in society.
Andrea Johnson, in her article: “The Importance of Workplace Training”, points out: “To remain competitive in a global economy, Indiana businesses must have a skilled workforce that is able to adapt to change. With one-third of Hoosier workers falling below national standards for workplace skills, many Indiana businesses are creating on-the-job training programmes to build their own skilled workforce.”
“Workplace literacy today is defined as much more than the three Rs of reading, writing and arithmetic, or physical strength and a strong work ethic. Modern work environments require good communication skills, the ability to work in a team, time-management skills, the ability to adapt to change, and to work with people from diverse cultures.”
“By equipping workers with a modern skill set, employers gain Operational effectiveness and efficiency. Through good communication and teamwork skills, employees are better able to work across job functions, to apply information, and to think critically and act logically. Trained employees are better able to adapt to change—a must in today’s economy.”
However, training should not be the burden of the public education only, rather the private sector, though corporate citizens, should share that responsibility because they benefit from a well trained workforce. And the trend today is that corporate citizens do not restrict their responsibilities to the operations of their businesses, but are involved in social development and what is termed giving to society.
In this regard, the recent apprenticeship training programme launched by Republic Bank is indeed a laudable initiative which should be emulated by other corporate citizens. And this sentiment was shared by Education Minister Shaik Baksh at the launching ceremony, noting that the programme harmonised with that of the Education Ministry.
Urging other corporate entities to emulate the example of Republic Bank, he said the apprenticeship programme must be replicated “a hundredfold” all over Guyana.
The bank’s Managing Director, John Alves, said the Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme is specially designed to mould young people and help them transition into the world of work, in a nurturing and professional environment.
Alves said the programme, which was first introduced by the bank’s parent company in Trinidad and Tobago, proved successful, and the bank was motivated to start the programme two years ago in Guyana, after seeing a similar need here.
This initiative is also in accordance with the CARICOM Commission of Youth Development which called for an investment in youth at all levels.
Baksh also pertinently pointed out that the cost of not investing in youth could be phenomenal. This is so true, because such an investment ensures that youth have a secure future and, in turn, it would help create a secure country.
Republic Bank has set the ball rolling; it would be most pleasing to see others taking up the mantle as well.