Guyana: Labour Ministry certificates 41 Bartican women in Basic Solar Photovoltaic Technology

Guyana: Ministry of Labour of the Republic of Guyana has announced that forty-one (41) Bartican women are now certified in Basic Solar Photovoltaic Technology to integrate them into the country’s energy sector, following a three-week programme facilitated by the Board of Industrial Training.

It was made possible through a partnership with the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), as well as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under the Women Empowerment in Energy Programme (WEEP).

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton, GEA, Chief Executive Officer Dr Mahender Sharma, IDB, and Country Economist, Victor Gauto bear witness to the graduates receiving their certificates. Minister Hamilton delivered his feature address and praised the graduates for being trained in a traditionally male-dominated profession. As such, he believes that their participation demonstrates their leadership skills to assist in modernizing the region.

The minister also noted that the success of this training would foster future collaborations with the various agencies.

Earlier this year, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the various government ministries and agencies to train 200 women in Lethem, Bartica and Mahdia to increase their capacities in the solar energy sub-sector and their Productive Use of Energy (PUE).

The women were trained in practical and theoretical aspects of PV repairs.

As per the Labour Ministry, the ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, and BIT’s Senior Technical Officer, Leon Greaves, among others.

On the same day, Students of Bartica Secondary School and school drop-outs are expected to benefit from technical and vocational training programmes provided by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) in 2023.

Electrical Installation, Heavy-Duty Equipment Operation, and Joinery were some of the programmes identified to be facilitated.

Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton, BIT, Senior Technical Officer Leon Greaves, and Technical Officer responsible for Region Seven, Joseph Bharrat, among other officials, met with Bartica Secondary School, Head Teacher Teeranie Gamell to discuss the way forward to facilitate these programmes.