— THAG, Human Services Ministry partner to provide training, employment opportunities

THE Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security are working together to open doors for more persons to enter Guyana’s growing tourism and hospitality sector with the opening of the Roots of Flavour Culinary Arts Centre on the East Coast Demerara.
Located in the compound of the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI), the centre will train persons interested in developing their culinary skills, with a focus on empowerment, employment and financial independence.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held at the GWLI on Friday, President of THAG, Mitra Ramkumar, said the association fully supports the venture, noting that initiatives such as the culinary centre will contribute to the continued development of Guyana’s tourism industry.
“There’s a lot that I would want to talk about this project, but the key point is that this is an enabler. It will enable you, it will enable the vulnerable in our society and ensure that we don’t leave anyone behind,” he said.
Ramkumar said the tourism and hospitality industry can provide significant opportunities for vulnerable persons, while noting that the initiative takes a holistic approach to helping more people enter the workforce.
“The tourism and hospitality industry is geared towards helping the vulnerable in our society, and so I’m happy for this partnership with the Government, with the ministry and with this Culinary Arts Centre, and by extension, the space that you’re going to be opening for kids, because it gives mothers now the opportunity to work,” he said.
He added: “I believe the Minister has this holistic approach to be able to get people out and get people working, get people into benefitting from what Guyana has to offer.”
According to the THAG President, the local tourism and hospitality sector has experienced challenges in finding chefs, kitchen assistants and other workers.
He said the new facility presents an opportunity to build stronger partnerships between training providers and the industry, allowing participants to develop the skills needed to enter the workforce.
Ramkumar explained that after enrolling at the centre and completing the necessary training, participants could be connected with opportunities in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Acknowledging that service gaps remain, he encouraged persons to take advantage of the training.
“I want to implore the persons who will be coming to this facility to make use of it. So even if you don’t want to get into business, you can come and get trained, and then the industry will take you,” Ramkumar said.
Also delivering remarks, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, said the Culinary Arts Centre will benefit from the expertise of some of Guyana’s best chefs, as well as talented home cooks, ensuring that local, home-cooked flavours are incorporated into the training.
She explained that the centre will offer training not only in meal preparation, but also in beverage preparation.
Along with THAG’s support, the Ministry is partnering with Nations Inc. to introduce participants to cuisine from around the world.
“So, the partnership and what we aim to do will significantly provide empowerment, employment and financial independence to everyone who comes through the Culinary Centre,” Minister Persaud said.