Guyana: Board of Industrial Training to empower 251 region three residents

Georgetown, Guyana: Two hundred and fifty-one (251) residents of Region Three graduated from fifteen (15) technical disciplines facilitated by the Board of Industrial Training, on February 10, 2023.

Joseph Hamilton, Minister of Labour, Board of Industrial Training, Board Member Penelope Harris, Acting Chief Executive Officer Saskia Eastman-Onwuzirike, Senior Technical Officer Leon Greaves, Technical Officer Devika Ramsewak, and others attended the ceremony at the Leonora Technical and Vocational Training Centre.

The BIT Guyana mentioned that among the skills taught to graduates were Heavy-Duty Equipment Operation, Welding and Fabrication, Metal Work Engineering, Small Engine Repairs, Carpentry, Masonry, Data Operation, General Office Administration, Electrical Installation, Barbering, Joinery, Auto Body Repairs, Plumbing, and Commercial Food Preparation.

Harris, the board member of the Board of Industrial Training, told the graduates that today’s ceremony marked a new chapter in their lives and, as such, they must explore alternative options to develop themselves and the country.

This includes receiving training in areas that complement their current certification. This approach, she claims, will enable them to find work as the country’s economy continues to grow.

According to the post by the ministry, Minister Hamilton said that today’s event is in keeping with the Ali-led administration’s manifesto promise to ensure equal access to training opportunities for citizens to empower themselves. This includes addressing the country’s 2000-person skilled welder shortage in the oil and gas industry.

To that end, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing resources to ensure that vocational and technical programs like these are available to help the country develop. He also discussed the Board of Industrial Training’s plans to expand its Heavy-Duty Equipment Operation programme in 2023 to include forklift operation training.

As a result, a forklift machine will be purchased to proceed with this new addition. Furthermore, the agency’s agenda is to increase female participation in male-dominated fields, which is being seen in Region Five.