Several youths were among 177 Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) residents who were presented with certificates last Tuesday after completing foundation training courses in various technical and vocational skills.
A successful graduate on Saturday
The graduates have completed the Government’s National Training Project for Youth Empowerment. (NTPYE) programme. The initiative was a collaboration between staffers at the Mahaicony Technical and Vocational Training Centre (MTVTC) and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).
The trainees completed Level One in motor vehicle repairs, electrical installation, welding, plumbing, heavy duty machinery repair and maintenance, data operation and general office administration.
Staffer of the Region Five Administration, Therese Jordan welcomed the graduates while Regional Education Officer Deon Lyn Lewis and Technical Officer of the BIT, Lindsworth Castello addressed the gathering.
In his remarks to the graduates, Castello said their certification means that they can now proceed to formal entry into any of the Technical Institutes to pursue higher levels of training leading to a diploma; or enter tertiary institutions where they can obtain degrees in their professional field of interest.
He also noted that the graduates can also use their newly-won credentials to obtain employment or establish their own businesses to provide services to their communities, the Department of Public Information (DPI) stated.
According to Castello the BIT/NTPYE was started in 2005 and has been getting stronger each year. It currently provides training to persons in every Administrative Region in Guyana. He said that the programme in Region Five began in 2014 and hundreds of young people have seized the opportunities offered to achieve Level 1 or foundation training in various technical and vocational skills.
He said the BIT/NTPYE programmes for 2019 will commence early in the New Year and urged the graduates spread the message that “the BIT Board welcomes all applicants as it continues to fulfil its mandate for competency-based vocational training for employment of all interested Guyanese.”
Speaking on behalf of the Regional Executive Officer Ovid Morrison, Jordan urged the graduates to forge ahead to higher levels knowing that they would receive the full support of the Administration and the Government. REDO Lewis urged them to be professional, honest and sincere in all their endeavours and to continue to build on their accomplishments.
Cultural presentations were included in the hour-long graduation exercise which was held in the MTVTC boardroom.
