THE Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) will be embarking on its second annual Work Readiness Programme this year, training some 60 youths for the world of work.

The six-month training is an initiative of the Office of the Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, and will cater for youths in Linden, Kwakwani, Ituni and other outlying areas.
In a release on Wednesday, Morian said the region continues to battle with unemployment.
He said that while his office has been successful in initiating and creating a number of job opportunities, the Work Readiness Programme will add to efforts towards significantly addressing unemployment challenges.

“We have some young persons that were part of the Work Readiness Programme in Region 10 who are being trained right now to work at the Immigration Office in Linden,” Morian said.

He added: “Most of the young persons who did the last programme are employed as teachers, nurses; some at offices and some enrolled into the University of Guyana, so we are pushing that so I have sent the proposal and awaiting funding.”

Morian is hoping that the private sector will come onboard to support the project and urged organisations within the sector to contact the RDC if interested.
The programme gives a stipend of 15,000 per month to every participant to pay for transportation, among other expenses.

“I am appealing to private agencies and organisations to collaborate with my office as with or without funding or support from the private sector, we are moving ahead with this programme,” he declared.
The regional chairman stated that his office has secured some funds but the programme is expected to cost some $3.5M.

A portion of this figure is dedicated to the payment of the programme’s coordinators who are required to closely monitor the participants.
Through the programme, counselling, sharing and evaluation are done twice per month.
“It is geared towards strengthening their skills as many of them possess great skills but lack guidance which we are seeking through the coordinators of the programme, to assist them with,” Morian reassured.

He added that with the plan, the RDC has envisioned that for the year, they will see another 50-60 persons entering the job market.