– in joinery, catering, dressmaking and agriculture
OVER 300 persons of all age groups are meaningfully engaged in various areas of training at the Buxton/Friendship Practical Instruction Centre (PIC) located in the heart of Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara. Constructed at the cost of $39,976,100, the PIC is now in full operation after overcoming several glitches during the initial construction phase in 2002/2003.
Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, who recently visited the Centre, said that quite a lot of money was spent on the facility so that individuals could benefit from the services and urged the students to take full advantage of what is being offered there.
He disclosed that efforts are currently being made to have the computer laboratory in operation, explaining that computer skills are useful to the young people as well as the older folks.
The minister told the teachers, “The future of these young people are in your hands, you are literally the persons who are giving them the skills that they will use when they leave here, so yours is a very important responsibility.”
Principal of the Centre, Owen McGarrel, said that at present the students are involved in joinery, catering, dressmaking and agriculture, and are also engaged in the Secondary Competency Certificate Programme (SCCP).
Also steps are being taken to introduce masonry and electrical installation to the curriculum, so that the students can choose from a wider range of skills training.
The facility has a fully equipped kitchen and other vital equipment to facilitate the joinery programme. Additionally, other infrastructural works were recently carried out in the immediate environs to improve accessibility to and from the Centre.