THE Board of Industrial Training (BIT) has challenged 288 newly trained Guyanese to use their technical skills not only to improve their own livelihoods, but also to strengthen their families, communities and the wider national economy.
The call came from BIT’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Maughn, during Tuesday’s graduation ceremony for beneficiaries of the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment at the BIT Skills Development and Certification Centre at Unity, East Coast Demerara.
Maughn told the graduates that their training represented both an opportunity and a responsibility, particularly as Guyana continues to require a skilled workforce capable of supporting economic growth across multiple sectors.
He framed his charge around five principles, gratitude, resilience, excellence, contribution and national development, urging the graduates to make full use of the investment made in their development.
“The greatest expression of gratitude is not merely to say, ‘thank you,’ but to make the opportunity count,” Maughn said, noting that the Government of Guyana invested more than $21.5 million in the training represented by the graduating class.
The 288 graduates comprise 164 males and 124 females, who completed 14 projects across eight occupational areas.
Training was provided in AC and refrigeration servicing and repairs, commercial food preparation, electrical installation, furniture making, heavy-duty equipment operation, information technology, agro-processing technologies and plumbing.
Maughn cautioned the graduates that receiving a certificate would not eliminate the challenges associated with entering the workforce or establishing themselves professionally.
He encouraged them to remain resilient in the face of setbacks, learn from challenges and continue developing their skills rather than allowing disappointments to determine their future.
“Do not allow one setback to determine your future,” he told the graduates.
He also stressed that technical competence must be accompanied by professionalism and integrity.
Whether working in electrical installation, plumbing, information technology, agro-processing, heavy-duty equipment operation or another trade, Maughn urged the graduates to distinguish themselves through the quality of their work.
He encouraged them to be punctual, dependable, safety-conscious and honest, while continuing to upgrade their knowledge and skills.
The CEO further challenged the graduates to look beyond personal advancement and consider how their newly acquired skills could benefit others.
He said their skills could be used to strengthen their families, serve their communities, support employers, establish businesses, create employment or mentor other aspiring workers.
“Do not use your skills only to improve your own circumstances,” Maughn said.
$21.5M INVESTMENT IN 288 TRAINEES
The graduating cohort brought together trainees from five training agencies operating in Region Four, including the Guyana Seventh-day Adventist organisation, Beterverwagting Practical Instruction Centre, Buxton Practical Instruction Centre, BIT Unity Training Centre and Guyana Industrial Training Centre.

Beterverwagting accounted for the largest number of graduates, with 121 beneficiaries, followed by Guyana Industrial Training Centre with 52, Buxton Practical Instruction Centre with 66, BIT Unity Training Centre with 33, and Guyana Seventh-day Adventist with 16.
The training programme was designed to provide participants with practical skills that can improve their prospects for employment, entrepreneurship and economic participation.
Heavy-duty equipment operation accounted for the largest occupational group, with 85 beneficiaries, while commercial food preparation had 56 graduates. Electrical installation accounted for 40 graduates, information technology 31, furniture making 26, plumbing 18, AC and refrigeration servicing and repairs 16, and introduction to agro-processing technologies another 16.
The figures also highlight participation by women in several traditionally male-dominated areas, including information technology, electrical installation and heavy-duty equipment operation.
1,243 TRAINED ALONG EAST COAST CORRIDOR
The graduation also formed part of a wider BIT investment in skills development along the East Coast of Demerara.
According to information presented at the ceremony, the Government, through the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning and BIT, has trained 1,243 persons along the East Coast corridor between 2020 and 2026.
The group comprises 450 males and 793 females, with training delivered across 13 occupational areas.
Approximately $119.4 million has been spent on developmental training during the period, with the programmes aimed at helping residents acquire skills aligned with labour-market needs.
The training has included areas such as commercial food preparation, cosmetology, cake decoration, electrical installation, heavy-duty equipment operation, information technology, garment construction, plumbing, furniture making, agro-processing and welding and fabrication.
At present, a further 93 persons are undergoing training at the Unity Training Centre in heavy-duty equipment operation, welding and fabrication, and electrical installation.
HEAVY EQUIPMENT TRAINING EXPANDS
Heavy-duty equipment operation has emerged as a significant component of the Region Four skills-development programme.
From 2020 to date, BIT has engaged 689 beneficiaries in heavy-duty equipment operation training, including 588 males and 101 females, at a reported government investment of approximately $39.2 million.
The programme has expanded through training delivered by the Guyana Industrial Training Centre and the BIT Unity Training Centre, including several batches in 2025 and 2026.
The latest figures reflect the growing emphasis on practical and technical competencies as Guyana’s economy continues to generate demand for workers capable of operating, maintaining and supporting equipment and infrastructure.
SKILLS AS PART OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Maughn told the graduates that national development should not be measured solely by major infrastructural projects, investment or economic activity, but also by the people who possess the skills to build, operate, maintain, produce and provide services.
“Development depends on people with the skills and character to build, operate, maintain, produce and serve,” he said.
He urged the graduates to recognise that they were now part of Guyana’s national workforce and had a role to play in the country’s continued development.
The graduation was attended by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall; Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith; Regional Executive Officer for Region Four, Juan Edghill Jr.; BIT officials, instructors, training partners, parents and other supporters.
As the graduates move into employment, entrepreneurship or further training, the programme is expected to provide them with a foundation for greater economic independence while helping to expand the pool of skilled workers available to communities and employers.
Maughn’s final message was direct: the graduates should be grateful for the opportunity, resilient when challenges arise, committed to excellence, willing to contribute and conscious of their responsibility to national development.
“Your country has invested in you. Now go forward and make that investment count,” he said.