More persons in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are qualifying themselves with the aim of taking advantage of the opportunities as Guyana’s oil and gas sector booms.
The graduates and officials on Friday
A batch of 60 persons received their certificates on Friday after successfully completing several courses in customer care service, hospitality, tour guide and care of the elderly and sick. The courses were offered by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) but coordinated by the St Francis Community Developers (SFCD).
At the commencement of the care of the elderly course, President of SFCD, Alex Foster said the aim was to equip persons with the skills so that they can establish their own businesses.
Minister Hamilton gets his pressure tested by newly-trained persons
On Friday last, he was happy to report that all 30 persons who took the course are now operating businesses based on their new skill.
Foster also pointed out that there were no drop-outs despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, Chairman of BIT in Region Six, David Armogan during his address on Friday made reference to the rapid development in economic activities that is being created which will ultimately lead to a demand for trained and qualified persons.
“There are many economic demands and also we are utilising the money to invest in agriculture, to invest in manufacturing, to invest in other services, and so, therefore, we want to ensure we have trained, capable and qualified people to take up new divisions that are going to be created,” Armogan related.
Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton in delivering his address, said the BIT training is the Government’s way of fulfilling its promise of providing competent services to citizens.
“Nothing we do for you is not what we should be doing… we don’t think we (are) doing you a favour by training you. I, as Minister, believe that is my duty to do that…I have a responsibility to do that. We believe that we pledged to give service to you and this is one part of giving service,” Minister Hamilton said.
The Minister urged the graduates to give service to their community, region and to an extent the country.
On the other hand, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BIT, Richard Maughn in delivering the charge, told the trained professionals to be confident and believe that they can achieve all the goals they would have set out to accomplish.
Meanwhile, the BIT has committed to sponsoring a cooking course through SFCD next year.
