THE Board of Industrial Training (BIT) recently certified 88 persons from Region Four in Heavy Duty Equipment Operation (HDEO), Commercial Food Preparation and Cosmetology.

Among the graduates were Nicola Bowen, a dedicated 48-year-old mother of six, and her daughter Jamaica Bowen.

A post by BIT, highlighted that Nicola had always prioritised her family, pouring her love and energy into raising her children with strength and compassion.

Driven by a desire for new challenges, Nicola registered for its HDEO programme, marking a bold shift in her journey.

This choice led her to join 87 other graduates on October 30, 2024, as they proudly walked the stage at the Theatre Guild of Guyana to receive certifications in the various courses.

By watching her mother’s determination to succeed, Jamaica felt compelled to follow suit and enroll in the HDEO programme, despite comments from others who thought she was “too tiny” for the physically demanding field.

Determined, Jamaica used these doubts as motivation telling herself, “If my mother can do it, I can too.” The young woman soon found herself as the only female in a class of 12 men. This only fuelled her drive for success. “I wanted to prove that women can be heavy-duty equipment operators too,” she stated confidently.

As they faced challenges together, both mother and daughter drew strength from each other.

According to the BIT, their shared journey has become a powerful message in their community, where Nicola, an active leader in local youth groups, now advocates for youths to embrace the many training opportunities available.
“There are countless programmes offered to improve our lives, take these opportunities, freely provided by the government, and make the most of them to become the best version of yourself,” she encouraged.

Delivering the keynote address at the graduation ceremony, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, affirmed the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government’s commitment to providing equal training opportunities, especially for vulnerable communities across Guyana’s hinterland and coastal regions.

He emphasised the government’s focus on empowerment and employability, especially for those once overlooked by previous administrations.

He advised, “Don’t let anyone look down on you or suggest they are more worthy because of literacy or status. What leads you to success is confidence.” He added, “When no one else believes in you, believe in yourself.”

Minister Hamilton took the opportunity to commend the female graduates for choosing fields traditionally dominated by men and encouraged them to break societal expectations and continue advancing their education.

Additionally, the BIT’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Maughn, congratulated the graduates, expressing his appreciation for their dedication to completing the programme. He highlighted that their commitment reflects a serious intent to apply their new skills to support the nation’s growth.

The CEO encouraged graduates to share their knowledge and skills within their communities, emphasising that such efforts would enable more individuals to benefit from the abundant employment opportunities now available.

The entity added that Nicola and Jamaica Bowen’s journey was a testament to resilience and inspiration, demonstrating that strength knows no age, gender, or size. Their story reminds us that courage, ambition, and mutual support are the true measures of success.