THIRTY-SEVEN Linden youths who recently graduated from the Information Communication Technology (ICT) five-week workshop hosted by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady Sandra Granger, are on a mission to empower their fellow youths in various communities, with the skills needed to become ICT savvy while making them marketable for a job. The youths would have formed themselves into an NGO called the Linden Youth Network (LYN). Its mission is to play an integral role in enabling youths to develop the skills needed to function in a technological society.

The youths testified that the ICT workshop was an overwhelming learning experience that significantly enriched their knowledge base in not only ICT but soft skills needed in the world of work. The workshop was conducted in a spanking new ICT laboratory located in the Linden Enterprise Network Business Centre. Region 10 was chosen as the first region where such a programme was rolled out and was geared towards youth development. The participants were presented with BIT-accredited certificates under the National Training Programme for Youth Development. The youths were trained in both soft and technical skills which include Communication Skills, Telephone Ethics, Interviewing tips and Time management, Mouse basics and keyboard references, Introduction to commuters, Microsoft office, Literacy and Numeracy, STEM Robotics and Sexual and Reproductive health.

Johanna Allicock, the valedictorian of the batch, told the Pepperpot Magazine that the workshop has been a great experience for her since it enhanced her knowledge on computers and the way it works. Allicock is an aspiring teacher and plans on using her training as she pursues her career path. “As an aspiring teacher, this training will prepare me for the field of work. Many things that I did not understand in school in relation to computers, I was able to get a better knowledge of it,” she attested.

Selina Joseph, another graduate, said that the workshop benefitted her a lot because she is now certified and will be using that certificate to apply for jobs. She was appreciative of the knowledge gained in computer programming but more so, the knowledge to adapt to the world of work. “I learned a lot of things in ICT such as mouse basics, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher and so forth, but most importantly, I learned to enhance my business ethics and so forth for when I am applying for a job.”

KNOWLEDGE MUST BE SHARED

For these 37 youths, now that they are equipped with this knowledge and are ICT certified, as many youths in Linden as possible must be ICT certified as well. LYN is partnering with Deron Adams, an entrepreneur in Linden who played an integral role in organising the workshop, to see that similar workshops are established. The youths have already prepared forms to be sent into the various communities, for youths to sign up to participate in the first ICT workshop that will be done at the ICT hub located at LEN. After this 12-week centralised workshop is completed, LYN will be going into the various communities to conduct ICT training. Several communities in Linden including Cinderella City, Block 22, Wisroc, Victory Valley, Bamia and Coomacka all have ICT hubs.

Allicock said that it is her hope that all members come on board, to ensure that these hubs are utilised by youths who are ICT trained. This will increase the aim of the hubs and these youths can further train even the children and older ones in the communities. “It must be an ongoing process. The entire community must benefit because technology is growing faster and faster and we want to empower the youths. We want to prepare their minds,” she said.

Joseph related that in addition to training youths, LYN will also be giving back through various charitable ventures, such as back to school drives etc.

The face behind the youth group, Deron Adams, who is seeking support and sponsorship for the youth group, said that the recently concluded ICT workshop which exposed young people to the global world of technology. LYN was subsequently formed and the graduates are not the only ones welcome, but it is opened to all youths in Region 10. “It is my hope that youths will seize this opportunity and recognise ICT as more than a means for social media, but as a tool for ICT enabled innovations such as the internet and how its strategic use may transform the way we work, live, form relationships, communicate and entertain ourselves,” he said.

LYN has already gained sponsorship of three computers to pursue their community ICT training