THE BK Group on Wednesday commenced a training programme for twenty youths under the Skills and Knowledge for Youth Empowerment initiative (SKYE), the third consecutive year of the company’s support for this initiative.

In 2013, ten youths from SKYE project were a part of the BK Group Apprenticeship Programme.

This year, the apprentices will be part of a six- month programme at the company’s quarries for training in various fields, including heavy duty equipment operators, mechanics, welders, carpenters, and general construction workers.

The SKYE project supports the goals of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) which seeks to combat the core causes of crime and violence, enhance public safety and security while offering job skills and training to at-risk youth in Guyana.

The apprentices will be paid a monthly stipend, at the minimum wage, and will be provided with all meals, accommodation, and laundry services. In addition, while on the training programme, the apprentices will have full access to the company’s club and entertainment facilities located on site.

Before leaving for the BK Quarries in the Mazaruni, the apprentices met with the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Brian Tiwarie, at BK’s Kingston Head Office. The group was also briefed by BK Group Marketing & Sales Director, Briony Tiwarie.

“The BK Group is pleased to be part of such a beneficial initiative. It is our belief that the apprentices will receive a wealth of knowledge while at the quarries,” said Ms. Tiwarie.

Ms. Tiwarie also noted that much focus will be placed on the apprentices to ensure that they become positive and creative individuals in order to make meaningful contributions to society.

Tiwarie added: “Over the years persons who received training from BK have gone on to earn significant sums in the mining and construction sectors, both with BK and other companies. As such, we believe that the best way we could help improve society is by providing useful and valuable training to young people at our facilities.”

SKYE Project Officer, Tomaisha Hendricks, speaking after the briefing said: “We are very excited about this programme. The BK Group has been working with us from the very inception. The company has been one of the few to sign up and provide the opportunities for training that many of these young people would not otherwise be able to access.”

Hendricks added, “We are also happy that while we are able to provide training for our young people, BK is also able to meet some of its manpower needs as the apprentices complete the programme and enter the workforce.”

The SKYE programme supports youths who are secondary school dropouts, youths who have completed formal education but require additional skills in order to gain employment, and youths caught up in the criminal justice system.

The SKYE project is funded by USAID through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and is implemented by the Education Development Centre (EDC), based in Boston and Washington in the USA.

(Asif Hakim)