–as Labour Ministry, BIT, George Brown College explore avenues for partnership

MINISTER of Labour Joseph Hamilton, and Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) Richard Maughn on Thursday met with representatives of George Brown College (GBC) from Canada at the ministry’s Brickdam head office to discuss expanding skills training opportunities in Guyana in an effort to create a more skilled workforce.

President Dr. Gervan Fearon, and Dean Dr. Adel Esayed, at the Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies at the Canadian College, were among officials in attendance.

According to the Labour Ministry, the areas of discussion included establishing a partnership between the two parties to reinforce the ministry’s continuous efforts to generate a skilled workforce by equipping young people with the essential skillset to be employable, as well as expanding the “train-the-trainer” training programmes.

Minister Hamilton highlighted the ministry’s accomplishments, including a significant increase in training opportunities for over 11,000 persons nationwide within three years when compared to the previous administration.

The minister noted that this achievement will be enhanced, as his ministry through BIT, plans to develop new training courses aimed at equipping persons with the knowledge and expertise necessary to execute their duties more efficiently throughout 2024.

He emphasised that this plan will bring the ministry one step closer to realising its goal of making vocational training programmes well-known as it is in Guyana’s education system.

Following the meeting, officials from both parties will meet once more at a later date to deliberate and build a framework plan that will benefit persons interested in skills training while also aligning with both parties’ priorities.