Youth Challenge Guyana, ExxonMobil empowers 25 young men with electrical installation certification

APPROXIMATELY 25 young men were presented with completion certificates after successfully participating in an electrical installation and life skills training program, which was jointly organised by Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG) and ExxonMobil Guyana.

On Tuesday, a closing ceremony took place at Special Miracles Ministry on Freeman Street in East La Penitence, Georgetown, to commemorate the participants’ remarkable accomplishment.
Over the course of six weeks, the training programme not only offered electrical installation skills but also imparted valuable life skills to help young men navigate different phases of life. With this certification, they are now eligible for employment opportunities and can pursue advanced studies in electrical installation.

Dimitri Nicholson, the Executive Director of Youth Challenge, emphasised that although some may view learning and mastering a new skill in a short time as insignificant, he firmly believes that it was a significant challenge for many individuals who participated in the training.

“We started with 30 people, and we boiled down to I think we had 24 or 25 people who completed the evaluation at the end of the training,” he remarked.
Nicholson stated that this was the fifth consecutive training session. “We look to you to complete and carry on whatever your goals were when we started this training, because part of the training was life skills; Looking at how you become a better individual.”

During the ceremony, Nicholson highlighted that the attendees had been urging the young men to step up as mentors and catalysts for change in their communities. “Help other people in your community to become better young men, and better individuals,” he said.

In his feature address, former participant of the Course, Nicholaus Jemmotte, told the participants that with the new skills they have learnt will catapult them forward to success.

“I was a part of this class last year, and by trade, I do AC installation and repair, and CCTV camera installation. Both of those skills come hand in hand with electrical installation,” Jemmote continued, “When I got the opportunity, I came in and I paid keen attention because it was one opportunity in a life time, and I made use of it because I saw myself at a different level in a few years to come, in goals and aspirations.”

Jemmotte observed that, apart from receiving professional training, he gained the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with others through the life skills programme.

Nicholaus recently registered his business, Nick’s AC and Technical Solutions, Lot 8 Hadfield Street, Lodge Georgetown, and is currently accepting small contracts. “I’m improving myself by working with industrial contractors so I can learn electrical installation at a better level so I can work more efficiently, and accumulate the goals and future aspirations,” he said.

Meanwhile, two beneficiaries of the training commented on their experiences during the programme. They are: Ronaldo Sobers and Krishnadat Rampersaud.

According to Sobers, his father was the one who introduced him to the program.  He expressed, “My father had sent this to me on social media and said you should take this opportunity. And, I did take the opportunity and I’m glad I took the opportunity because not only did I learn a skill to gain a new job, I learnt life skills on how to be a better person, and how should go about dealing with people in the world as well.”

Sobers recalled a quote that Dimitri mentioned at the start of the training, which left a lasting impression on him: “The achievements of great men are not accomplished overnight, but rather through tireless effort while others sleep.” The young man explained, “That had stuck with me since day one because, you cannot achieve success overnight. To succeed in the long term, you must be willing to make sacrifices and make decisions that are advantageous to you.”

Meanwhile, Krishnadat commented that the class was very helpful in his journey in electrical installation. “Coming to this class and learning more about electrical installation was very great for me. And also to add to that is the life skills training which helps you to go out there and communicate with clients and so forth. I will advise anyone whenever they see the programme out to try to reach out to Youth Challenge Guyana, and try to get to do this course because it’s a one-time opportunity, and you won’t regret it.”

According to Krishnadat, his next move is to acquire his electrical installation licence, on top of the certificate he already obtained.

Around 200 young individuals have taken part in and successfully finished training programs focused on electrical installation and life skills.