… over 12,000 persons trained of whom 61% are women
Following intense training, 38 residents from Sophia, Greater Georgetown are now certified in Welding and Fabrication, Electrical Installation, Plumbing, and Information Technology. They would have recently received their certification during a graduation ceremony at the Georgetown Training Centre.
Officials and graduants
Speaking at the event, Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton explained that with more training, Guyana will be less susceptible to crime. “I believe that the more people we train, the fewer people will want to jump in your house to rob. It’s a simple matter. So for all of us, the more people you train, the fewer people will lash at your glass window to decorate the coffee table every day.”
He then added the need for more TVET-trained personnel as Guyana continues to expand. “If we were building 1,000 houses and we decide as a nation to now build 10,000 houses, it means that the number of electricians we had three years ago is not enough. Do you understand that? You can’t talk about building more houses if you’re not training people to be electricians.”
He also addressed the naysayers who would constantly ask the reason for the government to train its citizens. “You can’t talk about building more houses without training people to be plumbers, masons, carpenters, or whichever one. Do you understand how you fit into all of this? I’m trying to explain. Every program we do, I can stand up and explain the importance of it.”
Further Hamilton referenced the Bible, saying similar situations arose in the Holy Book where persons would’ve questioned key persons “Because sometimes people question, why are you training all of these people? So, you have answered the question again, that was asked thousands of years ago: What good thing can come out of Nazareth? Let me say this to you: Never, ever be timid, apprehensive, or fearful of telling people where you belong. Who you are. Did I tell you? I was born and grew up in Triumph Village, between cave cutters and fishermen.”
It is evident that Sophia is an honourable community with brilliant minds, on this point he encouraged them to never doubt themselves.
“Perhaps people have asked the question, what good thing can come out of Sophia? This afternoon, you’re answering that question, you know. You’re answering that question without even knowing you’re answering it.” Meanwhile, he added that within just four years, thousands of persons have been trained.
“You’re confident that you know what you want to do with your life. That’s a far cry from 12 months ago. We have trained over 12,700 people across this country, with 61% being women. We have been able to open the door so that women can help us kick down the barriers that have dominated the mindset, where society and men have determined for decades what is women’s work and what is men’s work.”
Lending his perspective on the women gathered at the event, he stated that it brings him great joy to see females in male-dominated fields. “I’m glad when I see females graduating in what we call non-traditional areas. Because you’re helping me with my project. I say to you, women, there is no men’s work and women’s work. Any work that a man can do, a woman can do it. And in some instances, she can do it better than any man would attempt to do. So we don’t do training for just men or just women.”
