THE Government of India has increased the number of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Training Slots allocated to Guyana from the current 24 to 50, with immediate effect.

A release from the Indian High Commission said the decision of the Government of India as a goodwill gesture towards the Government and people of Guyana emanates from the close and cordial relations between the two countries and long-standing partnership of 55 years in ITEC.

High Commissioner of India, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa had assured the gathering at the celebration of the 55th anniversary of the ITEC Day held on October 11, 2019 at India House, that the High Commission will make vigorous efforts to get the training slots for Guyana doubled.

The consistent efforts of the High Commission of India have now resulted in the training slots for Guyana being increased to more than double the existing number. This will help the country to create a large pool of skilled and technical-qualified manpower in various sectors for its emerging fast economic growth as a result of oil and gas discovery and expectations of first oil in December 2019.

India provides capacity building assistance to 160 partner countries and ITEC is considered as a vehicle to share India’s vast and unique experience of growth and development through capacity building and training.

The courses under ITEC will provide a wide and diverse range of skills and discipline such as agriculture, irrigation, IT and telecommunications, finance and accounts, audit, banking, education, planning and administration, parliamentary affairs, crime records, textiles, rural development, renewable energy, tool design, small enterprises and entrepreneurship development, among others.

“The High Commission would like the Government of Guyana and the people of Guyana to avail the increased training slots fully before 31 March 2020 and to take advantage of these important courses for the country’s economic growth and prosperity.  The details of the various courses available under ITEC Training Programme can be checked from ITEC Portal www.itecgoi.in. The other terms & conditions can be accessed from following links: How to Apply: https://www.itecgoi.in/how_to_apply.php;
“Terms & Conditions:  https://www.itecgoi.in/terms_and_conditions.php; and
ITEC Courses: https://www.itecgoi.in/courses_listinst.php?salt6=be98430686135,” the release said.

The revised system of ITEC also allows the High Commission to accept applications from persons nominated by private sector companies, chambers of commerce and commercial associations.

“High Commission is happy to receive applications from such individual applicants and process it for providing them the opportunity for training in India and making them skilled and eligible for better job opportunities in Guyana.  This way, the High Commission is able to encourage private citizens of Guyana to apply for ITEC training programme and avail the opportunity for training in India,” the release said.

The other countries of concurrent accreditation with the High Commission of India in Georgetown, namely Antigua & Barbuda (five slots), St. Kitts & Nevis (five slots), Anguilla (three slots) and CARICOM (five slots) have also been allocated with training slots under ITEC programme.