FOUR hundred and twelve students graduated at the Mahaicony Technical and Vocational Training Centre on Monday, having participated in the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) National Training Project for Youth Empowerment and Single- Parent Training Programme.The Government has, over the years, been working to ensure that all Guyanese have a chance to be trained in some aspect of work, which is being administered by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).The BIT has been providing opportunities for persons to qualify themselves with various skills. The work force is empowered annually by skilled persons who have undergone training under BIT.

This year’s batch represents a three-fold increase over the number of persons trained in 2013 in the region under the programme. The programme consists of on-the-job training and exposure to life skills education. The youth who are targeted are between the ages of 15 and 25. Most of them do not have the requisite CSEC qualifications to enter the job market, or may not have completed secondary education.
At the Mahaicony Centre, Region 5, some 343 trainees graduated in the following occupational sectors: 59 persons in engineering; 38 in building construction; 22 in electrical installation; 28 in health services; 134 in information technology and clerical skills; and 62 in home economics. There were also 69 persons who graduated under the Single-Parent Training programme.
The Guyana Chronicle spoke with a few of the graduating students, who were unanimous that they have benefited tremendously from the programme. Ms. Andrea, a cosmetology teacher, explained that she taught a class of 30 girls, of whom the youngest is 16 years old and the oldest 45. “All of them have shown interest to learn; there are shortcomings, but we manage to work through them,” she said.
A student from the nursing assistant programme explained that she now has the confidence and self-esteem to approach the world of work: “Before I was scared because I was not qualified in anything.” Miriam Hussain, a student of Food and Nutrition, noted that the programme was very educational, “I am able to feed my family a nutritional meal and able to practise what I have learnt.” She explained that she is the mother of two young children and this programme will assist her with feeding them properly as well as contribute to her household financially.
Speaking at the ceremony, Regional Chairman Region 5, Bindraban Bisnauth noted that he is grateful that the BIT programmes are relevant to the area, as he urged the graduating class to make full use of the opportunity and when the courses have been completed, “lend your services where it is needed.”
Maria Khelawan, Chief Executive Officer of BIT, congratulated the graduating class, noting that for the first time since the programme started, this year the board commenced evening and Saturday classes in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, during his remarks congratulated the students and urged them not to become complacent, explaining that the Government has always placed a lot of emphasis on educating its young people. “The Government is determined that our young people have to be educated and has placed a considerable sum of money from the national budget into the education sector,” the minister said.
The minister explained that over the years, persons have believed that technical education is for school drop-outs, but asserted that this is not so “Technical education must not be seen as a substitute for secondary education, it must be seen as a supplement,” Dr. Gopaul said.
In recent years, he noted, technical education was restricted to Georgetown and New Amsterdam, “but not anymore, we have a centre in almost every region and have extended our hands to our young people throughout the length and breadth of this country.” Dr. Gopaul emphasised that “wherever we [government] see a shortcoming, we will move immediately to correct it.”

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)