THE Board of Industrial Training (BIT) is dedicated to increasing opportunities for Guyanese in every region to develop their skill sets, enabling them to contribute to the nation’s growing economy. This mission was highlighted in an interview with Bernadette Torres, a 40-year-old resident of Coomacka Mines in Region 10, who is one of the many beneficiaries of the BIT program.
Torres, a devoted Community Health Worker, has spent years caring for the well-being of her small community. Now, she is embarking on a new journey to serve her community in a different capacity—by establishing a cook shop/snackette.
“Being a Community Health Worker, you work all day. Sometimes, in the afternoon when you get off work, you don’t have anything else to do. So, I decided to take this opportunity as a second choice to do something to be more independent,” Torres explained. She plans to open her cook shop upon completing the BIT course, aiming to provide a much-needed service to her community by offering meals to those in need.
Torres expressed her gratitude for the opportunity and emphasised the importance of the training program for herself and the Village of Coomacka. “I think this training is very important, especially for the people in my village, and we appreciate it with open arms,” she said. She pointed out that the village’s Primary School, which has a kitchen catering to children through a feeding program, will benefit greatly from this initiative.
“With this opportunity coming to our village, the persons working in that kitchen will now have an opportunity to get a certificate, to show that they are qualified. They have the skills, but this will make it better for them,” Torres noted.
She highlighted that individuals who manage small roadside cook shops would also benefit from the training program by gaining certification. This certification will formally recognise their qualifications to prepare food for others, validating their skills and serving as a testament to their ability to prepare food suitable for public consumption.
Torres is among 14 women from the mines in Region 10 who have embarked on the journey of learning commercial food preparation through BIT. The program not only aims to enhance their personal independence but also seeks to uplift the entire community by equipping its members with valuable skills and formal recognition.
The BIT continues to play a pivotal role in empowering Guyanese across the country, ensuring that residents like Torres have the tools and opportunities to build better lives for themselves and their communities.
