SOME 39 residents of Mabaruma, Region One, received certification in four vocational and technical programmes offered by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) which falls under the Ministry of Labour.

Motor vehicle servicing and repairs, joinery, cosmetology, and photovoltaic installation were the courses taught to the graduates.

The BIT Public Relations Department shared the stories of some of the graduates on its Facebook page following the conclusion of the graduation ceremony.

According to Julena Jocintho, it was her desire to learn something new that led her to the joinery course.

Jocintho told BIT representatives that her aunt encouraged her to take advantage of the agency’s free vocational and technical programmes.

“After hearing my aunt, I thought it was a great opportunity for me to follow through while I’m taking steps to become a teacher,” Jocintho said.

The aspiring teacher stated that she is grateful for this life-changing decision because it has opened her eyes to a new horizon. As a result, she hopes that others would see the value in taking advantage of the agency’s programmes to become employable.

According to the BIT, Clinton Desouza, like Jocintho, had a desire to learn a skill that would make him marketable for job opportunities in the region.

“Now that he has joinery skills and knowledge, he hopes to help me, my community, because there are a lot of people in my community who have the talents and capability but no one to teach them. He credits his dream to his friends, who introduced him to the vast technical programmes offered by the Board of Industrial Training. As a result, Mr. Desouza encouraged others to learn more about the agency’s training programmes and to apply for a life-changing opportunity,” the BIT said on its Facebook page.

On the other hand, Lydia Albert discovered the agency in 2021 when she decided to enroll in its tractor maintenance programme.
“I had originally planned to do the agency’s heavy-duty equipment operation programme, but I changed my mind because I saw the vast job opportunities in this profession,” she explained.

This prompted her to decide to broaden her employment opportunities by becoming certified in motor vehicle servicing and repairs.

“I can now apply for any job vacancy without fear of being rejected, and this is because of the Board of Industrial Training, for which I am eternally grateful,” Albert added.

Her time with the agency, however, is not over as she plans to return soon to learn new skills.

Meanwhile, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton said that the graduation exercise demonstrates the government’s commitment to empowering its citizens through educational opportunities to improve their chances of finding work.

“Under the previous administration, there was no such training offered by the Board of Industrial Training in this region. Now, since taking office in August 2020, the PPP/C Administration has been able to certify several batches of individuals here,” he said, according to the BIT’s Public Relations Department.

This positive trend, he said, will continue because it will help the region’s and, by extension, the country’s development. As a result, the minister encouraged the graduates to encourage others to participate in the agency’s training programmes.

The BIT’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Saskia Eastman-Onwuzirike, spoke briefly about the agency’s role and responsibilities in developing the country’s labour force. She praised the graduates for recognising the importance of becoming skilled individuals in order to meaningfully contribute to the country’s development.

She encouraged them to pursue other educational and training opportunities in order to broaden their profile and increase their chances of finding work.

Also present at the graduation ceremony were Mayor of Mabaruma, Chris Phang and Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley.

The graduates received tools and equipment from the agency to help them start a business.