…says President Ramotar
THE importance of a skilled population in an economy that is rapidly developing was yesterday emphasised by President Donald Ramotar, who pointed out that human capital is vital for the transformation of the Guyanese economy that is currently poised for a rapid take-off.

The President made this assertion yesterday while addressing graduates of the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) and single parents at a ceremony at the National Cultural Centre on Homestretch Avenue.
“Ahead of us, we see our country is poised for a rapid take-off and it would need all the human capital it can get in order to service the new economy that is envisaged,” the President told those gathered at the graduation ceremony.

He said the project being conducted by the Board of Industrial Training  is one that the government started as far back as 2005, one that seeks to equip people with the skills needed to build an economy such as Guyana’s.

“Even back then, we knew our country was heading for great things, and now we see that that decision was a correct one,” Mr. Ramotar said.

He urged the students to work towards further self development. “I urge you not to be satisfied with what you achieved but I encourage you to strive for higher heights,” he advised.
He congratulated them on their achievements and added that they can now apply these skills to whatever challenges they are faced with in the long term, with regard to work and life in a changing world.

“See your achievements as laying the basis of development, so that you can work and study even more in the fields that you have, and you can grow to develop your trade to perform at a higher level because our world is changing and changing fast, and making big demands on all of us,” he highlighted.

Mr. Ramotar said that there is one common factor that rich countries boast about, and that is a high level of education and skilled human resources.
He told them that they should work together to build a Guyana that is strong, educated, multicultural and disciplined.

The President pointed to the fact that Guyana has so far been spared some of the major difficulties that came with the global recession, since it has been working with policies to guard against this.
“Our economy has been growing over the last five years at an average of more than five percent per annum, and this is a very important achievement, because this has occurred at a time when the international economy is faced with serious problems and at a time when Guyana’s partners in Europe and North America have been facing tremendous difficulties,” the Head of State said.

However, he maintained that Guyana has secured itself with the implementation of correct guidelines and policies such as this training.

He noted that the setbacks are seen every day on the international news, and there has even been talk about a double recession.

According to Coreene Connelly, Project coordinator of the NTPYE, some 504 students graduated yesterday under the programme in several areas, including mechanics, electrical installation, catering, welding, information and communication technology, and fitting and machinery.
She said 97 per cent of the students passed with certificates, and noted that 26 of the graduates were single parents, and some were physically challenged.

The graduates were drawn from Regions 2,3,4,5,6 and 10.