A RESIDENT of Kwakwani in Region Ten, Trevis Clarke, said that being certified in electrical installation had changed his life and that of his family, thanks to the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

The young man told BIT officials that he used to hang out with the wrong crowd and assumed that culture was his way of life, but that all changed when he learned about BIT.

Once registered, he set aside such distractions and concentrated on attending every session offered while at school.

Following his remarks, Pam Rambaran, BIT Technical Officer, described this trait as admirable because it demonstrated his determination and passion for the craft.

The eager youth, now equipped with the skills and abilities to be marketable, mentioned the possibility of starting his own business.

Clarke was one of 65 Kwakwani graduates who earned certification in disciplines such as Welding and Fabrication, Electrical Installation, Joinery, Commercial Food Preparation, Plumbing, and Information Technology.

The presentations were done in the presence of the Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton; Board of Industrial Training Senior Technical Officer, Leon Greaves and Technical Officer responsible for Kwakwani, Ms. Rambaran, among other officials.

Roylam Welcome, like Clarke, is certified in electrical installation while still in secondary school.

His story, however, began with his uncle who, having had the opportunity to witness the journeys of other BIT graduates, influenced his decision.

Those stories, he said, inspired him to take a leap of faith to achieve similar goals, for which he was grateful.

As such, the young man thanked BIT for opening its doors to all Guyanese, particularly those his age, who were interested in becoming skilled individuals to contribute to their country.

Further, Renisha Mittelholzer, another graduate, enrolled in BIT’s Joinery Programme while in secondary school, after being encouraged by her relatives. A decision she said she did not regret because it allowed her to learn about the craft and create beautiful items for herself and others.

However, the young woman’s journey does not end with the ceremony; she intends to further her education at the Linden Technical Institute (LTI). To that end, she urged others to follow in her footsteps, stating that it was the right time for persons to learn a life skill that will help them improve their livelihood.

“Do not let any difficulty define who you are because only you can make those decisions,” Ms. Mittelholzer said. “Get involved in BIT and become the best version of yourself.”

Minister Hamilton, in brief remarks, thanked the graduates for recognising the importance of acquiring life skills to play a pivotal role in Guyana’s development and stated that the agency would continue in its efforts to build the nation’s human resources.

The ceremony also celebrated the rebirth of a dying art form, joinery, and increased female participation, a step forward for which he was grateful, as it demonstrated the government’s commitment to addressing gender inequality while also developing a skilled labour force.

The ministry intends to push beyond that barrier to empower women, retirees, and physically challenged people with the skills to become employable.

Mr. Greaves, senior technical officer, congratulated the graduates on finishing their respective vocations despite any challenges they might have faced. As a result, he charged them with continuing on the path to improve their chances of gaining employment in desirable industries.

He also encouraged them to share their knowledge with others who wanted to help develop their communities and the region.