— through police career fair

SOME 376 youths are assured of employment at various institutions while another 32 will start a tertiary education as a result of a career day fair hosted by the Guyana Police Force last month in ‘C’ Division.

Commander, Senior Superintendent Stephen Mansell said the fair was a partnership with the regional administration and included public and private sector stakeholders.
He told the Guyana Chronicle that the applications of 120 youths were accepted for employment at the Giftland Mall Foodmax Supermarket; 37 at Qualfon Guyana Inc.; 200 at the Guyana Defence Force; 10 at the Guyana Prison Service; and nine at the Mon Repos Neighbourhood Democratic Council.

Twenty persons also sat the entrance examination to gain entry into the Guyana Police Force and they are awaiting the results.
Twenty-seven youths will be enrolled at the Mahaicony Technical Institution to commence classes in January 2018 while another five are slated to be enrolled at the Guyana School of Agriculture.

“We see this as a success and a crime prevention strategy, as youth empowerment and development, partnership, building public trust and community relations,” Mansell said.
He praised the support of the regional administration, the Joint Services, the proprietor of Buxton Gas Station and other private enterprises for supporting the career day fair.
Buxton/Friendship Fuel Station Proprietor, Morris Wilson, who was a part of the planning, said the event was a success because of the efforts of Senior Superintendent Mansell.
“We need more of these job initiatives and based on future collaboration more will be done for the youths,” he said.

Buxton Foulis Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairman, Leon Abrahams said that activities that promote the well-being of youths and opens up opportunities for employment are most welcomed.

“The driving force behind crime is the lack of employment and poverty, the fact that Commander Mansell could have come up with this initiative is commendable since young people need the support in society,” he said.
Adding that more agencies and young people should be brought onboard, the chairman said he is hopeful that next year the event can be larger and greater since many communities will benefit.

“Many young people do not know of opportunities out there and the event created the occasion where this was presented to them and the offers were taken, it’s a huge plus because even persons from Georgetown benefitted. Despite what we say, many young persons want to work and if given the opportunity, they will take it,” Abrahams said.
The career fair which was held at the Buxton Community Centre Ground saw some 2300 in attendance of which about 1800 were youths from Buxton and its environs.