Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton certifies major companies in Guyana

Guyana: Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton and the Board of Industrial Training’s Acting Chief Executive Officer/ Secretary, Saskia Eastman-Onwuzirike, certified Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation and Guyanese Manganese Incorporated as Masters on Friday, January 27, 2023.

According to the update shared by the Ministry of Labour, this allows them to accept and teach apprentices in their respective trades while the Board of Industrial Training oversees the programmes for quality assurance.

The representatives of the companies received their master’s certificates in the presence of the Board of Industrial Training, Technical and Apprentice Officer, Deborah McBeth, Administrative Officer, Indira Singh, and other officials at the ministry’s boardroom.

Minister Hamilton spoke about the importance of the Board of Industrial Training’s apprenticeship programme and how it will enhance the skill sets of many ambitious individuals. This includes increasing the number of people trained to work in the country’s labour force. He advised them to teach as many women as possible to work in male-dominated areas.

While concluding the update, it stated that as part of this meaningful relationship, the minister also urged them to go beyond the training curriculum to guarantee the individuals being trained are competent and qualified to work. He even proposed that welders who want to become licensed welders attend nighttime training sessions.

Earlier, to enhance the provision of technical and vocational training possibilities in Guyana and Jamaica, both countries will work together, according to Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be written to outline the objectives of both nations as a result.

The minister gave a speech during a breakfast event for the Jamaican Trade Mission on January 26, 2023, at the Guyana Marriott Hotel.

He was accompanied by Bishram Kuppen, Permanent Secretary, Board of Industrial Training; Saskia Eastman-Onwuzirike, Acting Chief Executive Officer/Secretary; Gweneth King, Occupational Safety and Health Consultant and other officials.