– strengthening micro-entrepreneurship training programme

THE Critchlow Labour College, in collaboration with the Mitsubishi Corporation, has launched its strengthening micro-entrepreneurship training programme for disadvantaged women and youth in Region Four.

Principal of Critchlow Labour College, Ivor B. English, in his address at the launch held in the college’s boardroom on Thursday, noted that the programme is geared towards educating women and youths to increase their skills, productivity and promote empowerment through education.

“We believe in empowering people and one of the best ways by which you can empower individuals is to give them an appropriate education. The focus is on disadvantage women and youths; we believe that women can play an important role just as equal as men in developing our communities and by extension developing our society… each person deserves an opportunity, therefore, this course will seek to empower the women that we have identified to create behavioural change, to engage in financial management as well as having an understanding of business management,” he stated.

English further stated that the college is pleased to help persons develop job readiness skills to ensure persons who pass through the institution are equipped to function in their respective areas in whatever endeavour they would have chosen.

Additionally, President of Mitsubishi Corporation Caribbean branch, Yohei Sasagawaaz, in brief remarks, said Mitsubishi is pleased to have worked along with Critchlow Labour College to successfully develop yet another project which will aid in the development of Guyana and her people.

He added that the programme is intended to promote the country’s development through capacity-building. The goal is to enhance the skills and increase productivity and the future income for the disadvantaged women and youths of the region.
“As a global corporation, we emphasise our sustainability through business, at the same time we aim to promote sustainability through a variety of contributions, including social responsibility programmes … our goal is to enhance the skills and increase productivity and future income of about 50 undeserved women and youths in the formal sector of region four,” Sasagawaaz said.

The programme, which is divided into two courses, will be held over a six-month period. It seeks to deliver a training course to disadvantaged young men and women with aims of providing them with access to business development services.

In addition, the project focuses on strengthening the capacity of local stakeholders to provide assistance to youths in starting and growing their micro-enterprises, and supporting rigorous learning about the effectiveness of comprehensive self-employment. The project will benefit youth professionals and emerging single mothers who have a business idea. It is expected to provide them with a foundation to build their own business.