THE Ministry of Labour is advancing its efforts to empower Indigenous and rural youth through a new collaboration between the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) under the five-year ENGAGE Youth project.
A high-level meeting was recently held in the Ministry of Labour’s boardroom to discuss strategies for the initiative, titled “Empowering the Next Generation: Agency and Gender Equality (ENGAGE Youth).”

The project aims to enhance access to vocational training, promote gender equality, and provide financial support for youth-led enterprises, with a focus on young women in Regions One, Seven, Eight, and Nine.
Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, led the discussions, joined by BIT Chief Executive Officer, Richard Maughn, and senior officials from both BIT and WUSC. Representing WUSC ENGAGE Youth were Project Director, Vanessa Thompson, alongside specialists in youth development, grants, and monitoring and evaluation.

The collaboration will leverage BIT’s technical and vocational training programmes to equip young people with the skills needed for employment and entrepreneurship. Minister Hamilton reaffirmed his commitment to the initiative, announcing that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed soon to formalise the partnership.

The ENGAGE Youth project seeks to create sustainable economic opportunities for young people, ensuring they receive the necessary training and support to succeed in the workforce.
This initiative aligns with the government’s broader mission to expand skills training and workforce development across Guyana, particularly in hinterland communities.