THE communities of Toka and Massara in Region Nine celebrated a historic milestone this week as 20 residents graduated from the Board of Industrial Training’s (BIT) first-ever training programmes in those villages.
The achievement marks a significant step forward in human resource development, with the potential for substantial economic benefits for the Rupununi region.
In Massara, 10 residents—five men and five women—completed the General Building Construction programme, while in Toka, seven men and three women graduated from the Welding and Fabrication course. The training programmes are part of a broader government effort to empower hinterland communities with the same opportunities available to coastal areas.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, who delivered the keynote address, emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring equal access to training and skills development for all Guyanese, regardless of location.
“Whatever opportunities people on the coast have, those same opportunities must come to the hinterland and river communities,” Minister Hamilton stated. He reassured the graduates that the Board of Industrial Training would continue to reach remote areas, adding, “No place is too far, no river is too deep or long, and no place is too high.”

The graduates are now equipped with valuable skills that will reduce the need for external contractors in their communities.
Minister Hamilton noted that the development of local skills was crucial for self-sustainability, particularly in construction and fabrication work, which previously required outside expertise. “Very shortly, when the government is building something in your village, they don’t have to have a contractor come from somewhere else to build it,” he said.

Minister Hamilton also encouraged the graduates to market themselves and their new skills, urging them to use technology and social media to showcase their qualifications. “You have to market yourself; you have to promote yourself,” he advised, stressing the importance of using their newly acquired skills to benefit both themselves and their communities.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Industrial Training, Richard Maughn, also spoke at the graduation ceremony, underscoring the significance of the programme for the entire village. “This is not just an individual achievement, but a village accomplishment,” he said. Maughn highlighted the programme’s origins, noting that BIT’s short-term training initiatives, launched in 2005, were designed to meet the immediate needs of the labour sector by equipping people with practical skills.

The CEO expressed gratitude to the government for its continued support in expanding training programmes beyond the coast to hinterland and remote communities. “Thanks to the government, we have the financial support to implement such programmes in these communities,” Maughn said, adding that it was just the beginning of a broader plan to improve the quality of life for Guyanese in all regions.

TRANSFORMING LIVES AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
Among the graduates was Revlon Bartholomew from Massara, who previously struggled to find consistent work due to a lack of formal training. “Before, I was just looking for work in the village, but now I can say I have a certificate and know about house plans,” Revlon said. He expressed pride and excitement about his new qualifications, stating that he now has the skills to take on more complex construction projects. “I can now read drawings and house plans. If someone asks me to build a house, I can read the plans and understand them.”

Revlon’s story is just one example of how the BIT training programmes are empowering individuals and transforming communities. As more residents gain the skills needed for local industries, the Ministry of Labour and BIT are helping to foster economic independence and sustainable growth in the Rupununi.

The successful graduation of 20 skilled workers from Toka and Massara represents a key step in the government’s mission to develop Guyana’s human resources and uplift hinterland communities. With continued collaboration and support, these initiatives are expected to have a lasting impact on the economic and social landscape of the region.