TWENTY residents of Shulinab Village, Region Nine, are now certified through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) as Small Engine Technicians and Welder Fabricators.
They are now equipped to launch entrepreneurial ventures or seek employment in their fields. In a statement, BIT said that this milestone was celebrated during the graduation ceremony, which was held in Shulinab Village on Friday.
This marks the first skills-training programme delivered to the village by the Government of Guyana through BIT.

Described as a transformative initiative, it aligns with the PPP/C Administration’s commitment to empowering Guyanese with skills training that promotes sustainable livelihoods.
The programme is expected to become a regular feature in the village, supporting the government’s ongoing efforts to expand educational and vocational opportunities across the country.
In his remarks, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton praised the graduates, particularly the women, for seizing the life-changing opportunity.

According to the statement, Minister Hamilton underscored the government’s dedication to empowering citizens in the hinterland regions with essential skills for personal and national development.
While highlighting the previous administration’s lack of focus on equitable training opportunities in remote areas, Minister Hamilton pointed out that the graduation ceremony was proof of the current government’s workforce development efforts.
The minister further encouraged the graduates to view their certification as a foundation for further exploration and growth.

“The certificates you receive today will only be valuable if you continue to hone your skills,” he stated before adding, “In today’s society, you must be multi-skilled and multi-talented. Use this experience as a stepping stone to strive for excellence.”
Looking to the future, Minister Hamilton announced that residents of Shulinab Village will soon benefit from a furniture-making programme, slated to commence in early 2025, further expanding the community’s skills and opportunities.
Also present at the ceremony was the Toshao of Shulinab, Nicholas Fredericks; BIT’s Chief Executive Officer Richard Maughn; CEO of Food for the Poor- Guyana Inc., Andrea Benjamin; Internation Organisation for Migration (IOM)’s Regional Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion Coordinator Maria-Alexandra Bassermann; BIT Technical Officers Mohammed Shaheed and Rohan Bishop; and BIT’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Marcel David-Watson.