More than 140 young persons today graduated from various skills training programmes through the Board of Industrial Training, the largest batch from the nine administrative Regions in which the Board offers programmes.
Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence commended the graduates for choosing to be proactive in seeking empowerment, which brings stability to their home and community structures.
Congratulating them on staying the course of the programmes insipte of challenges, Minister Lawrence said, “My dear youths, don’t ever allow negativity to override your thoughts and keep you stagnant. Failure to act, to acquire a skill means one step deeper into the mire of dependence and impoverishment. Bravo to you for persevering; I am sure that today you feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. I am also proud of your success. I want you to encourage your friends who are undecided to join the program and help change their lives.”
During the past six months, 142 young persons from various areas in the Region were trained through the National Training programme for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) in the areas of motor vehicle servicing (33), electrical installation (18), plumbing (18), welding (15), carpentry (14), heavy duty operation (12), general office administration (9), data operations (9) and metal works (7).
The Best Graduating students were Shaneeza Khan (General Office Administration), Howana Samuels (Data Operation), Lakeram Singh (Welding), Dellon Cumings (Electrical Installation), Rabindra Persaud (Plumbing), Shamar Younge (Carpentry), Kevin Dundas (Motor Vehicles Servicing Class 1), Deonarine Chirao (Motor Vehicle Servicing Class 11), Junior Hinds (Metal Work Engineering), and Gavin Cameron (Heady Duty Equipment Operation).
The Minister noted that this competency based skill training certificate is a stepping stone for further development and graduates should seek to develop their skills whether they join a company or begin their own business.
Most of the training programmes were executed at the Leonora Technical and Vocational Training Centre, while those with certification in the medical field were trained at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, the Leonora Hospital and various health centres in Region Three.
Mr. Eon Nicholson, Administrator Leonora Technical and Vocational Training Centre said that the Centre is pleased to be associated with the programme, since it believes that by “empowering young people of Region, we can create a workforce that the Region can boast of that would be second to none…we have given you the tools to make a new life for yourselves, make the most of it.”
This is the second batch of youths graduating through the NTPYE in Region Three.
