19 Kwakwani residents benefit from electrical installation training
Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton during his visit to Region 10
Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton during his visit to Region 10

LABOUR Minister, Joseph Hamilton and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), Richard Maughn, have met with 19 residents of Kwakwani, Region 10, who are currently benefitting from an electrical installation training programme being executed by the BIT.
As he spoke to the trainees, the minister made several key points. Among those was the importance of signing contracts with their employers, so that in the event of a labour issue the Ministry of Labour could adequately intervene. In addition to that, he stressed the importance of occupational safety and health (OSH) within their field of work. He said that “No boss should allow you to work in an unsafe environment” as he lamented the number of workplace deaths that have occurred throughout the country.
He also informed the trainees of the ministry’s plans to establish a Labour Office in the village, which will enable the availability of OSH officers, labour officers and technical officers attached to the Board of Industrial Training. Even as they are pursuing lucrative skills in their training, Minister Hamilton also charged the trainees to ensure they obtain several skills so that their skillsets can be diverse. The trainees were encouraged to enroll in other programmes upon completing the current one and were advised that they will all be free of charge, the release said.

The minister observed that out of all 19 trainees, there was only one female and he then made the point that gender roles within the technical fields need to be diminished, and more women should find themselves in technical training and jobs that go beyond societal norms.
Following his engagement with the trainees, the minister and team visited Kwakwani Utilities Incorporated (KUI), where they would usually conduct the practical aspect of the programme.
The building where the practical are done was recently refurbished to ensure that it is up to standard. During his tour of the facility, Minister Hamilton acknowledged that the building that has long been in use has “come a far way in five months” and said that he will ensure that standards such as OSH are up to par by sending officers to work along with the company and provide recommendations for improvement. These officers are also expected to train the company’s health and safety committee which has been established.
The trainees were very receptive to the minister’s words of encouragement and advice. They shared their testimonies and even demonstrated the skills they obtained throughout their training.
Also present during the engagements was the BIT’s technical officer assigned to Kwakwani, Pam Rambarran, who will be overseeing all training programmes being executed in the village.

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