— From construction sites to power stations, free skills training opens doors across Guyana
A WOMAN now overseeing a construction site, a young islander working at a power station, and a machine operator confidently handling excavators all credit the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) for changing the trajectory of their lives.
As the institution commemorates 115 years of service, Guyanese from diverse backgrounds are testifying to the transformative impact of its free training programmes.
Over the last four years, more than 2,000 Guyanese have benefitted from BIT’s technical and vocational courses with that number continuing to grow as demand rises across regions and industries.
Jennifer Boodie, one of the programme’s standout participants, has completed four training courses through BIT including barbering, masonry, general building and construction, and now, commercial food preparation.
“So far, I am doing very good. I benefitted a lot, I learned a lot, and presently, I’m overlooking a site in construction,” Boodie said proudly.
She now plans to open a food court, merging her culinary training with her construction experience to build and run her own business.
The woman related that while it is challenging in both fields, she is making the best of the opportunities being offered.
“I think the young people should grasp as much as they can through the programme, because when you have to go out there and learn it off your own, or you have to go and pay to get it done…” she said while urging youths, especially those between the ages of 16 and 25 to enroll in these free courses offered by BIT.
In Region Three, Erleisha Doris of Wakenaam Island shared how she went from knowing “little about the electrical field” to earning a job at the Wakenaam Power Station, after completing a BIT electrical course introduced by the Ministry of Labour.
“Not only to benefit me, but to benefit others,” she said in gratitude to Minister Joseph Hamilton, while expressing hope that additional courses would be introduced on the island.
“I would like to see other courses being brought on this island, so that it will benefit me and others,” she added.
Meanwhile, David Gaul, who signed up for heavy-duty equipment training through his workplace, says the experience has broadened his capabilities in the field.
“The experience for me so far is exciting,” Gaul shared. “I would have learned many new things, especially as it relates to operating heavy-duty machinery of all different kinds.”
His training included the operation and maintenance of excavators and forklift skills he now applies on the job.
“I’m very much grateful to be on this training because it will be helpful for me in my field of work,” he said.
With Guyana undergoing rapid transformation, the role of BIT in producing a skilled, adaptable workforce has never been more important.
The testimonies of its trainees many of whom were unemployed, under-skilled, or uncertain about their future are proof that public investment in technical education is paying off.