Forty young persons from across Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) on Saturday graduated from a Work Readiness Programme, organised by Regional Chairman Renis Morian, through the Christian Development Foundation.
The graduating batch from the Work Readiness Programme in Linden
Following six months of training, the graduates are now equipped with the necessary skills for the world of work. Already, few have been offered employment through the agencies at which they were attached.
The graduation ceremony for the first batch was conducted at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre at Mackenzie, Linden. Speaking at the event, Morian said the programme was fuelled by the high level of unemployment in the Region, coupled with the fact that employers are always seeking persons with work experience as well as the recognition that a lot of young people are not prepared for the world of work.
Morian said the programme, which was funded by Ministry of Presidency, not only aims to equip attendees with the experience that employers often times seek but entails training persons for life. Persons were drawn from areas including Linden, Ituni and Kwakwani.
“We recognised that a lot of young persons aren’t really ready for the area of work…the whole attitude towards work punctuality…the right attitude, those were and still are missing…The overriding thing in our minds was unemployment in Region 10 and often times when an employer is looking for someone, he’s asking for some amount of experience. The trouble is, just out of school, where are you going to find that experience? This programme not only prepares you for the work environment. This programme also gives you the experience of the work environment…to bring your mind in tune with what is required to work,” Morian stated.
He reminisced on how the programme started with 38 persons, however due to some amount of shifting some secured placement at the University of Guyana and a work agency.
In his feature address, Regional Executive Officer, Gavin Clarke, noted that there are many initiatives that graduates can pursue in order to make themselves marketable, adding that all they need to possess is the will to work. Quoting from Headmaster Cleveland Thomas, Clarke told graduates that, “If the dream is big enough, the facts don’t matter,” and continued, “it means, irrespective of the challenges or what might seem to be limitations, if your dream is big enough, you will pursue it…Irrespective of what you might achieve, the level of education that you might attain, there is a simple word but it means a lot. That word is called ‘integrity’.”
Clarke also warned graduates against the existing term “hussle” and encouraged the graduating batch to leave a good mark wherever they work. He said others should respect them for their integrity and honesty.
Clarke said opportunities are very limited to young people in today’s society but encouraged the graduates not to be consumed by greed.
Speaking to this newspaper following the graduation, Israel LaRose who is attached to the Vivian Parris Health Centre at Mackenzie said that he has learnt a lot from being part of the programme, while noting that he has received hands-on training in the medical field. (Utamu Belle)
