…highest pass rate ever recorded
Close to 600  students , now boasting  certification  in extremely valuable skills, graduated from  the Government Technical Institute (GTI) on  Thursday, during the
Institution’s Annual Graduation and Prize Giving  Ceremony at the National Cultural Centre. The successful graduates emerged from various departments  within GTI, including Building, Business, Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical , Science and Land
Surveying with passes, credits and distinctions under their belts.
Minister of Labour  Manzoor Nadir, who delivered the feature address, encouraged the graduates to view themselves as assets to their country and urged them to prepare  for
the diffficult and challenging road ahead .
“There are many challenges; but if you want to move from the bottom house to the  penthouse , you need to continue  with education and training ,” he imparted.
Nadir also emphasised the need for the emerging professionals to pay high regard  to health and safety protocols when they enter the work place   to combat the increasing
incidents  of  industrial deaths.
“There  have been 27 deaths  in the mining and forestry  sectors this year alone ,” he revealed , adding, “I ask you to  pay keen attention  to the protocols  of  health and
safety.”
To illustrate this point, Nadir  alluded to the closing of the Barama factory, which he said is  a direct result of failure to follow protocols.
Alluding to the results of these failures , he said, “The government spent  $31M  of your tax dollars to help these workers; this is not the first time we have done it.”
Continuing, he  informed the students that their biggest challenge  will come from their future employers , some of whom will not pay them the wages they deserve .
In this regard, he stressed the importance of remaining in Guyana  despite the fact that they will be paid higher wages overseas.
He stated,“You may not receive  the salaries you will get outside; but  you will get a better package if you  choose to stay.”
The Labour Minister urged the graduates to take advantage of the employment and recruitment agencies set up to facilitate their introduction into the workforce   where there
are presently 500 vacancies available .
In addition, he conveyed to them a message on behalf of the President Bharrat Jagdeo , saying, “On behalf of the PPP/C we are proud to have invested  in your education.”
GTI’s Principal, Mr. Onwuzirike Chinedu, proudly pointed out that this year’s pass rate is 73%, the highest ever, and he congratulated the students and  staff for this
record.
He also expressed concern over the perception that students who are academically challenged cannot succeed at technical institutes.
“The society’s perception and views say that those academically challenged are the ones who attend technical institutes. These people are wrong.” Chinedu declared.
Chairman of the Board of Governors,  Norman McLean, referred to the institution as a humble one which has made great strides to ensure it  provides skilled and talented people
for the work force .
“Social mobilisation can only be achieved  by education and hard work, not just money,” Mr. McLean advised.
It was the 57th  graduation exercise of the GTI,  which was established in 1951 and offers educational training to Guyanese youths and adults in technical, commercial and
scientific fields.