THE Upper Corentyne Training Centre has significantly improved its resource base for computer training after a batch of 20 computers was donated to the centre’s Information Technology (IT) laboratory by President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday.          
The donation is the fulfillment of a promise he made to the institution a few weeks ago. The handing over was done in the presence of the principal Nateshwar Barron and several students of the training institution which is also a symbol of a promise fulfilled by the President.
The training centre offers an IT programme which attracts students of various age groups, employed at the National Insurance Scheme, the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Revenue Authority, and employees of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) in Berbice.
Approximately 135 persons have expressed interest in the September programme and this was considered a significant improvement. 
President Jagdeo, while speaking to the gathering, gave all assurances that the use of the computer is a sure way of promoting efficiency, as it enhances productivity and opens up new opportunities for people.
“You can sit here and sell your services and work for a company in the United States of America without having to physically locate there, if you have the skills and the connectivity… the world of opportunities can come to your home through this access and people need to understand how powerful this technology will be in changing the world and changing our country and they have to be part of that future,” President Jagdeo said.
As youths plan careers and prepare for work, the Head of State urged that they understand government’s vision for the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector since the world of work today demands a high level of computer knowledge.
“The demand of that world will be very different from the demand of today’s world. It will be a knowledge-based economy. An economy where people get wealthy because of what is in their heads and their ability to be creative,” President Jagdeo said.
Government is at present pursuing efforts to facilitate access to ICT sector which is leading the way in job creation around the world. The administration is investing in a fibre optic cable from Brazil to strengthen broadband access.
The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company has already invested in a Suriname-Guyana Submarine Cable System (SG-SCS) which connects Guyana to the rest of the world via Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
Already 3000 young people have gained employment in call centres and the number is likely to climb to 25,000 over the next five years, according to President Jagdeo.
Described as the sector of the future, President Jagdeo believes that ICTs are the way to go in creating wealth for the future.
“We have to create an economy based on new sectors, dynamic sectors, sectors that will generate thousands of opportunities, sectors that are globally growing,” President Jagdeo said.

Berbice, pilot site for One Laptop Per Family
The President also brought more good news to the Region after announcing that Berbice will be one of several locations where pilot sites will be set up when government’s One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project rolls out to further promote computer literacy across the country.      
Approximately 90,000 families, mostly poor families, are being targeted in the government’s OLPF which will be piloted in early January, according to President Jagdeo.
Berbice will be one of the three locations where sites will be established.
“If we have 90,000 houses given a computer by the government, if our own network gives them connectivity to the internet, it means that you also have to learn how to use the computer,” President Jagdeo said.
The Office of the President had issued a notice seeking qualified personnel to take up positions as trainers to work along with the OLPF initiative to ensure that families get the necessary training in basic computer skills that are required for job preparedness in the modern economy.
There will be classroom training of basic ICT skills, application of ICT skills to specific jobs and personalised training to ensure that every individual benefits from the programme. Trainers will be placed in their specific regions.  (GINA)