— $21M invested to upskill youth in heavy-duty operations and fibre-optic installation
A TOTAL of 141 young men and women graduated on Friday from the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT) programmes, hosted in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF), under the Rehoboth Workforce Development Centre initiative.

The graduation ceremony, held at the GPF Training Centre in Eve Leary, marked the conclusion of the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment, a flagship initiative designed to equip young people and ranks of the GPF with industry-relevant skills.
Delivering the feature address, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BIT, Richard Maughn, explained that the three programmes came at a cost of G$21 million. However, he emphasised that the focus was not on the cost, but rather on the value of investing in people so they can contribute meaningfully to national development.
He urged the graduands to enter the workforce with dignity and confidence, reminding them of the sacrifices made and the confidence that had been placed in them through the training opportunity.
Maughn highlighted that the heavy-duty equipment operator and fibre-optic installer courses are essential to Guyana’s ongoing transformation. As the country continues to expand its infrastructure and develop its regions, these skill sets are becoming increasingly critical.
“We will not be able to grow as rapidly as we intend to with machinery, so the skill that you have is essential to our transformation.
“This accomplishment was not an accident; it was built on your effort, your resilience and most importantly, your habits. I am sure, for each and every one of you who were on training, it took sacrifice and resilience for you to stay on course,” Maughn said.
He noted that despite the setbacks faced, participants pushed forward and committed themselves to fulfilling the purpose of learning. With their new skill sets, he said, the quality of their lives could improve once they embrace the opportunities before them.
He encouraged them to let go of outdated ambitions and trust their abilities to shape stronger communities and better futures. He also urged them to work with excellence, lead with integrity, and believe in their own potential.

“When you show up to work, give it your best for full productivity, excel in what you do, and lead in whatever the work requires of you, in the quality of your work and achieve your dreams because we believe in you and you must also believe in yourself,” he said.

Technical Officer of BIT, Rohan Bishop, also addressed the gathering, explaining that the event was a celebration of the efforts made by the trainees to retool and upskill themselves.
As Guyana continues to evolve, he said, skilled individuals are increasingly in demand to support the country’s development trajectory.
He explained that the fibre-optic installer, heavy-duty equipment operator and general equipment training programmes were all designed to ensure participants are prepared to meet the needs of a modern and rapidly growing Guyana.
He pointed out that skills are wealth, and that collaboration was key to the successful delivery of the training.
Bishop outlined that the first course began on April 7, 2025, with 41 ranks from the GPF, and although only 40 completed the programme, it recorded a 98 per cent pass rate.
The second programme, which began on March 13, 2025, saw 86 participants enrolled and closed on July 24, 2025, with two dropouts but a similarly strong pass rate. The third course, conducted between January 21 and February 13, 2025, recorded an 85 per cent pass rate despite a few dropouts.
Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh, in his remarks, emphasised that development, both of the country and its people, is never achieved in isolation.
He noted that the growth of organisations depends on both individual and collective performance.
Acknowledging the role of the Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, and his team, Singh said the initiative was timely and important, especially as Guyana positions itself on the regional and international stages. He explained that policing today requires more than managing traffic; officers must be equipped to contribute across multiple sectors.
“Our ranks are now positioned and given an opportunity to perform in other areas merited as every other person, we are giving ourselves now a chance to grow as our country is, as we should without being left behind,” Singh said.
He further noted that the course has provided a solid platform for capacity-building within the GPF and has helped position officers for future advancement through skills-based development.
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Caption: Some of the graduates from the Guyana Police Force during Friday’s graduation ceremony after completing technical training programmes in fibre-optic installation and heavy-duty equipment operations under the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training. (Japheth Savory photos)