-trainees and staffers honoured, institution’s flag unveiled
IN celebrating its 60th anniversary, the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GTIC) on Thursday honoured its trainees, staffers and recognised others for their stellar contributions to the technical and vocational training institution.
During the celebratory activity held at the Herdmanston Lodge in Queenstown, Georgetown, the institution’s flag was unveiled following the distribution of medals and trophies. The flag was designed by a student, and it depicts the purpose and mandate of the training school.
The event was punctuated by songs, a dance, and live steel pan renditions by Tutorial Steel Pan Orchestra.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Chief Education Officer – Technical, Dr. Ritesh Tularam said the GITC celebration is historic as it represents the significant milestone of 60 years.
In addition to the past members of staff whose contributions were invaluable, he also recognised the trainees, instructors and the heads of institutions for their sterling contributions to GITC over the years. Their vision, dedication and perseverance have sustained the institution for decades.
“Today, we celebrate 60 years of commitment of technical education, skills development, and the empowerment of generation of learners who have contributed significantly tangible and meaningfully the national development, and by extension, to community development. I saw as we reflect on this remarkable journey. We must acknowledge the pioneers,” he said.
Tularam stated that over the years, the vision has been translated and nurtured and strengthened by dedicated administrators and others whose aspirations continue to give life and purpose to this institution.
“Technology advancement, digital transformation and new economic opportunities are reshaping how we do things differently, our industries and the skills that our workers must possess. Solving this dynamic environment, technical and vocational education, and training has become more critical than ever before,” he said.
Tularam told the large gathering that at the national level, he has seen the significant investment from the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Education as it relates to the advancement of quality.
He reported that equity and the relevance of technical education was noted and as such for this year’s budget, G$3 billion was allocated for technical education.
Tularam pointed out that the investment in technical education in Guyana will ensure it transforms, reshape, realign, reposition, and redefine the path for technical and vocational education locally.
He disclosed that quality and relevance in technical education have been boosted with the construction of six new state-of-the-art Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) facilities across this country.
Tularam explained that in every region in Guyana, leaners will have access to quality, to relevance and to equity into delivery for technical and vocational training to upskill our workforce that is advancing towards technology.
He said locally, the Ministry of Education is offering Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) programmes in secondary schools from Level One to Level Three.
The CVQ programme in Guyana is a competency-based training system implemented by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). It is designed to equip students with practical, industry-recognised skills, offering an alternative to purely academic pathways.
GITC Administrator, Dexter Cornette, in his remarks said the foundation of GITC was laid 60 years ago, with a clear mandate to provide industrial education and equip learners with skills necessary to build lives and contribute to national development.
He stated that it has established itself as a key pillar of workforce development where training is the centre of their operations, offering nine programmes to upskill learners for the growing industry.
Also making remarks was Board Chairman, Peter Pompey, and Holly Fraser-Persaud among others.
GITC
GITC has its genesis in the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC). In 1965 the Union felt that with Independence due the next year, emphasis should be placed on manpower development of local people.
Consequently, the GTUC sought financial and technical assistance from the American Institute of Free Labour Development (AIFLD) to commence a training programme. AIFLD in turn sought help from USAID, which provided a grant sufficient to construct a training facility and to operate it for three years. That facility is the GITC.
GITC was incorporated on 14th December, 1966 under the Companies Ordinance, as a private, non-profit organisation with the mandate of providing industrial education to Guyanese citizens. Located at the corners of Woolford Avenue and Albert Street, the GITC building was constructed in 1968 with USAID funds.
It was initially managed by a board comprised of representatives of the labour movement, the Government of Guyana, and senior management of the institution.
While GITC has maintained its non-profit nature and its mandate, it is no longer a private organisation but a government-run institution.
When it was handed over to the government, the institution was placed under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. However, in 1972, it was transferred to the Ministry of Education and remained there.
