says Director of Youth to BV residents

IN a passionate address to residents of Betterverwagting, (BV) the newly appointed Director of Youth, Suresh Singh reaffirmed the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government’s dedication to youth development, emphasising that no other administration has done more to uplift young people across Guyana.

Speaking from experience, the director highlighted the government’s aggressive approach to education, noting that young Guyanese now have unprecedented access to free scholarships, free education from nursery to university, and a broad range of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes. These initiatives, he stated, are aimed at equipping the nation’s youth with the skills necessary for a prosperous future.
“Our government has been working tirelessly to ensure that Guyanese, particularly the youth, are empowered with opportunities,” the director stated. “We offer free education, including access to institutions like the Carnegie School of Home Economics and the Government Technical Institute, where students can develop skills in electrical installation, carpentry, hospitality, and more.”

The director also lauded the PPP/C government’s comprehensive scholarship programme, boldly challenging anyone to find a similar initiative elsewhere in the region or internationally.
“I am challenging anyone to check throughout the Caribbean, check on our neighbouring countries—Brazil, Venezuela, and Suriname—the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, and see if they have such an aggressive scholarship programme for their people,” he asserted.
He further emphasised that this educational access extends beyond young Guyanese, as anyone aged 16 and older can now pursue a master’s or PhD degree without any financial burden.
“As a Guyanese today, under the PPP/C government, you can be awarded a master’s degree or a PhD at no cost to you, without a cent coming out of your pocket,” he added.

EXPANDING SKILLS TRAINING
In addition to traditional academic routes, the director highlighted the government’s efforts in technical and vocational education. While the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) certification remains widely recognised, the PPP/C administration has also made the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) available to young Guyanese through the Ministry of Education’s training school.
The CVQ programme offers training in five skilled areas: carpentry, plumbing, masonry, electrical installation, and welding. Participants benefit from government-provided essentials, including five jerseys in Guyana’s national colors, safety boots, daily meals, and a monthly stipend of $10,000. To enhance real-world experience, students are also engaged in community projects for which they receive a daily payment of $7,000.
“The CVQ programme comprises 70 to 75 percent practical or competency-based components, enabling students to get experience in a real-world working environment,” the director explained.

IMPACT AND FUTURE PROSPECTS
Since the reform and relaunch of the programme, 350 young people have been trained, with the latest batch starting just two weeks ago. The director proudly reported that trainees have successfully completed 85 projects across Guyana, improving drainage systems, fences, walkways, and driveways to high-quality standards.

Upon completion of the training, students receive a toolkit valued between $70,000 and $95,000, while welders are provided with a small welding plant. Furthermore, due to the government’s strong relationship with the private sector, job placements for graduates have been made significantly easier.
Encouraging parents to seize these opportunities for their children, the director urged, “We recently opened our new batch, and I encourage you all to get your child/children registered. As long as they are between 16 and 26, let them capitalise on this opportunity. In four months, they can graduate with their CVQ certificate and be equipped for a successful career.”
With these transformative initiatives, the PPP/C government continues to pave the way for a skilled, educated, and empowered Guyanese workforce, ensuring that the nation’s future remains in the hands of capable and competent individuals.