IN an effort to get non-working youths off the streets in ‘D’ Division, police personnel under the leadership of Senior Superintendent Stephen Mansell have embarked on an initiative — in collaboration with faith-based organisations — to enroll youths in vocational skills training at the Leonora Technical Institute and Vocational Centre.Commander Mansell told the Guyana Chronicle that with implementation of the youth empowerment initiative on the West Coast Demerara, the police and collaborative organisations have targeted early school leavers and unemployed youths from Canal No.1, La Parafaite Harmonie, Bagotville, La Grange, Goed Fortuin, Leonora, Stewartville and Tuschen with the aim of teaching them life skills.
He said that 80 youths had been enrolled in a six-week vocational skills training stint which started on July 20, 2015, but 67 members of that group showed up at start of the training; and on completion of this stint, they will also be enrolled in the one-year diploma programme which commences in September.

Commander Mansell said the youths are currently engaged in plumbing, carpentry, office administration, Information Technology, welding and motor mechanics.

Before the end of the one-year programme, Commander Mansell will be engaging the business community to secure jobs for the youths, so they can be gainfully employed.

He disclosed that the move was made after it was recognised that the youths in that community had nothing to do. He said both males and females between the ages of 14 and 25 were selected from various villages to undertake vocational skills training with the assistance of the religious body in that region.

Mansell noted that the courses are both full time and part-time, and are geared towards ensuring youths have something meaningful to occupy their time and to earn a living. (Michel Outridge)