IN a notable effort to empower young women in Guyana, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), under the Ministry of Labour, conducted a significant ‘Monitoring and Evaluation Exercise’ on Friday.
The event, held in Yukusari, Black Bush Polder, Region Six, focused on 23 young women participating in an Information Technology (IT) Programme facilitated by BIT.
This IT initiative, which follows a similar programme conducted in 2023, has proven to be a valuable opportunity for local women. The first programme saw 20 young women from Yukusari benefit, and the current exercise aims to gather feedback on their experiences and progress.
Held at the RK’s Computer Institute in the village, the IT training is receiving positive feedback. Many participants, including mothers, have expressed their motivation for joining the programme. Some cited practical reasons, such as helping their children with homework and reducing the need for internet café services. Others, like a trainee interested in teaching, view the IT field as a promising career path and a chance to contribute to their community’s technological advancement.
BIT’s dedication to this programme reflects the broader goal of enhancing IT skills among women in rural areas. The training includes crucial aspects of information technology, computer systems, and information management, aimed at equipping participants with valuable, practical skills.
Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton has previously highlighted the importance of including women in BIT’s diverse training programmes. These initiatives, which also encompass Heavy-Duty Equipment Operation, Welding and Fabrication, and Electrical Installation, represent the Ministry’s commitment to fostering self-sufficiency and empowerment among women.
The successful integration of IT skills by past trainees demonstrates the programme’s effectiveness and its role in bridging technological gaps in traditional communities like Yukusari. As the BIT continues to support and expand such initiatives, it remains focused on creating opportunities for women to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities.