TWO HUNDRED youths are now empowered to join the workforce, having completed training under the residential Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training (YEST) programme conducted at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports’ Kuru Kuru Training Centre.
The 2009-2010 batch of students graduated at a ceremony Friday at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway after having successfully completed the ten-month residential course.
The programme seeks to provide opportunities for youths to develop their talents in cultural activities, sports and confidence building, and entrepreneurial skills through practice, in order that they become well-rounded individuals.

The students graduated in nine subject areas including business studies, carpentry, electrical installation, joinery, masonry, motor mechanics, plumbing and sheet metal, welding and fabrication and garment construction.
Delivering the feature address, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony stated that the programme offers youths a chance to become employable and ensure that they are equipped for the work environment.
He urged that they make every effort to ensure that they use the skills and knowledge that they have garnered to effect positive changes in their lives.
The Minister commended the teachers and other staff of the YEST programme for their hard work and tireless efforts to overcome the challenges that they have encountered in executing their duties to ensure that the students were successful.
Minister Anthony told them of how proud he was to receive reports of past students of the centre making tremendous contributions to their communities.

Eleven trainees from the motor-mechanics course wrote and passed the driving exam, which was a pilot test by the Ministry.
Minister Anthony stated that this is another opportunity for them to be marketable for jobs that require a driver’s licence.
The objectives of the programme are to provide education and training to youths from all the regions of Guyana, and encourage interaction among youths from various environments.
The Youth Ministry is also placing emphasis on youth health as youths are more vulnerable to infectious diseases, including HIV, the Minister stated.
He encouraged youths to be more physically active to reduce health risks.
Through collaboration with the Guyana Power and Light and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, the centre now has electricity. In addition, a new well was installed and by year-end, a purification plant will also be set up to improve the water quality.
The Ministry, through the support of Organisations including the United Nations Development Programme, the German Development Bank and Food for the Poor, to further develop the centre had provided training materials, high quality meals and classrooms for the students.

Government and UNDP, in keeping with its mission to support efforts aimed at achieving sustainable human development, building local capacity and helping people build a better life, has initiated a project called the Enhanced Public Trust, Security and Inclusion (EPTSI).  This project commenced in 2008 and extends until 2011, targeting communities in Regions Three, Four, Five, Six and Ten.
The project has made significant achievements including in the skills area where agreements were made with the Youth Ministry among others to place 300 young people on skills training and workplace attachments.
Project Manager of UNDP, Trevor Clark stated that he is impressed with the projects that were displayed as it shows the students possess talent and skills.
He noted that the UNDP will be sponsoring 100 students from September.
Clark said that a survey, which was recently completed, revealed that the centre does quality work and possesses high quality teachers.
He emphasised that the organisation will improve the relationship with the Ministry and make available more support staff as this will finally benefit the centre’s students.
The UNDP helped to expand the centre to facilitate more students having provided more dormitory and classroom space.
Last year it sponsored 50 students to attend the centre, however, for the upcoming batch it will cater for an additional 50 students.
Since the introduction of the YEST programme, many students from across the nation have benefited, since they have been able to acquire meaningful employment. (GINA)