—Georgetown Training Centre equipping young people with practical skills for jobs and entrepreneurship

YOUNG people in Guyana today have access to a range of free training programmes offered by the government, aimed at ensuring the country’s labour force is skilled, employment-ready and financially independent.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport says that through its Youth Department, it continues to expand opportunities for young people by offering practical training programmes at the Georgetown Training Centre (GTC), including masonry, electrical installation, plumbing and several other skill-based courses.
Remaining committed to empowering youth and improving their quality of life, the ministry said these initiatives are designed to equip participants with the tools needed for employment and entrepreneurship.
Recently, the ministry highlighted two young men who are making the most of the opportunities available through the programme. They are Taj Chisholm and Joshua Douglas.
According to the ministry, Chisholm, who is driven by a goal of self-employment, is turning hands-on training into real opportunity after completing his masonry course at the GTC.
The young man said he was among the first batch of students to graduate and receive certification in the programme.
Commending the GTC, Chisholm said, “The plan was to start a little business, really making blocks and this and that. I could get a self-employed job and people could call me to do certain stuff because I know stuff now. I didn’t know it before.”
Chisholm noted that through programmes like these, young people can access jobs and build a secure future. He added that as Guyana continues to develop, there will be a growing demand for skilled workers, and the ministry is helping to prepare young people to fill those roles.
Douglas, an early graduate of the Electrical Installation Programme offered at the GTC, described the course as a “good” one.
He said he had a great experience at the centre and learned a great deal about electrical installation, even at Level One.
“I decided to do the electrical installation course because I was working with someone and he was showing me some things, and I decided this looked like something I would like to do,” Douglas shared.
“I would like to take the certificate and do something good, get a good job in the electrical workforce and further my studies at some point.”
Douglas encouraged other young people to take advantage of the opportunity to learn a skill, noting that the ministry provides everything necessary to support successful learning outcomes.
“They don’t have to stress about anything and when they get the skill they can get work much easier and they can go further in life if they want,” he said.
Douglas also expressed appreciation to the ministry for providing the opportunity to acquire a valuable skill that can help him secure meaningful employment in the future.