49 young people commence training at Zara Computer Centre in Wismar

Three weeks after the Zara Computer Centre was commissioned at the Wismar Police Station, 49 youths and young adults were enrolled to commence classes on Monday.

The group will be the first batch of civilians to commence computer studies at the centre, which was handed over to the Force’s Regional Division 10 by representatives of the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation.
The centre is fully furnished and equipped with 30 new computer systems, one 65-inch Samsung smart board, one projector with screen and a server room.
The construction of the centre is geared at assisting members of the community, especially the youths and ranks within the Division who are studying at tertiary institutions and need to conduct research.

Chief Training Officer Keithon King said he had been waiting in anticipation for the Zara computer training programme to be introduced in Regional Division 10.
“When they were setting up that centre in Essequibo, it was our classroom, so we had to get a plan B. At the time, myself and staff, and stakeholders, converted the bottom flat of that building to a classroom to accommodate the Zara centre which had a stipulated time to finish so that training could commence. Sergeant Handover, who did his initial training at that college, capitalised on the training and the learning opportunities. Today, he’s now the coordinator for all the Zara centres within the Police environment,” King had stated.
On the other hand, Deputy Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus said the idea to have a computer centre at Wismar was born under the Force’s strategic plan to foster partnership.
“We understand that in order to harness our youths and have them engaged in positive activities is to seek out every means possible at our disposal to do so. The computer centre is one of our primary tools to help develop our youths and keep them focused on positive activities and away from crime and social disobedience,” Brutus said in brief remarks.
He said the Force relies on NGOs to help in whatever way they can to foster development. With the launch of IT training programmes some years ago, the Zara Group of Companies has trained thousands of young people.
Zara Computer Centre was established 39 years ago by a Guyanese family mainly involved in real estate. To date, the company has collaborated with several agencies including the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) and the Guyana Police Force, to provide training programmes countrywide.