THE first ever ‘work-readiness programme’ to be staged in Linden came to a successful end with a simple graduation ceremony held on Saturday last, where 50 young Lindeners who had participated in the programme received certificates.Coordinated by the Christian Development Foundation in collaboration with the Region 10 Democratic Council, the programme saw these young school-leavers being placed at various organisations for a period of six months, to enable them to gain working experience to augment their qualifications. During this time, they received a monthly stipend of $15,000.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian, who had conceptualized the programme to address the unemployment situation confronting Region 10, charged these newly-trained youths during the graduation ceremony to use the training they had received to pilot themselves in their chosen career paths.

Morian revealed that the programme commenced with 38 students, but during the stint some of them moved on to tertiary institutions; and so others filled the gap, thus increasing the number of participants in the programme.

He said a committee was formed, and the Office of the President was approached to assist with funding for the programme. This was provided in the sum of $3.2 million dollars.

He explained that the youths were placed in relatively close proximity to their homes, so as to reduce transportation costs. Among the institutions that participated in the programme were the Ministry of Education, Health Centres, Bosai Minerals Inc., Banks DIH’s Linden branch, and the Linden Hospital Complex. Many of these organisations have already expressed interest in retaining some of the trainees for permanent employment.

Guest speaker during the graduation proceedings was Regional Executive Officer Gavin Clarke, who encouraged the participants to always maintain their integrity as they move on to other means of employment.

Clarke also encouraged those who were not retained to stay focused. Whatever it may be, he said, one’s integrity is the main quality that should be maintained in one’s place of work.

“You are going to be remembered for your integrity, and people are going to respect you for your integrity. It matters not how smart you are, but when you can judge fairly and when you can do things that are right and just, people will remember you,” he said.

Clarke also encouraged the participants to leave a mark wherever they go, so that when they leave persons would know that someone is missing. He also advised them to follow their dreams and never give up.

Clarke described himself as a humble child who had grown up in a home of limited means, and he said his dream of becoming an engineer had seemed elusive. Today, he said, as a result of following his dreams, he proudly stands as a professional engineer and Regional Executive Officer of Region 10.

“If your dream is big enough, the facts don’t matter,” he advised his audience.

As a result of the work-readiness programme, Jamal Williams, one of the participants, came closer to pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor, since he was placed at the Accident and Emergency Department of the Linden Hospital Complex.

“It was very educational; I had a lot of exposure. When it comes to accidents and other emergency procedures, I had a lot of exposure,” he disclosed. Williams is hoping to further his studies next year at the University of Guyana. He wants to be a qualified medical doctor. After completing his secondary education, he worked for a short while at a grocery store, since finance did not enable him to immediately pursue his studies; but as a result of the programme, he is now able to do so.

Morian said he is ecstatic with the results of the programme, and is hoping that the next batch can commence shortly. He hopes that more students would be able to benefit, and more organizations — especially private ones — would come on board. He is soliciting more funding from the Office of the President, so that this would be possible.