Sixty-three young people on Sunday successfully completed 20 contact hours in the areas of Youth Leadership training, Leadership and Management in Youth Work, Youth Organization, Organizational Development, Group Dynamics and Team Building, Communication and Effective Public Speaking, Meeting and Procedures, and Events Planning.
Training was provided by the Ministry of The Presidency under the Department of Social Cohesion – Culture, Youth and Sport — via The Office of the Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment.
Senior Education and Training Officer on Youth Empowerment, Ronald Austin Jnr, expressed his pride in the students present, and mentioned that the basis for the programme was an observation of the need to strengthen youth skills.
“It was based on our observations made in numerous outreaches by this office, and based on our interaction with youth leaders and those with leadership potential. We discerned a need to strengthen their skills. We recognise that these youth leaders were teeming with potential to make the difference within the
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson (fourth from right, front row) Advisor on Youth Empowerment, Aubrey Norton fourth from left, (front row) with the graduating class
communities, and by an extension their country,” Austin noted,
He highlighted that the training programme is not competency-based, but is participatory, hence there are no examinations for applicants when training has been completed.
Austin also highlighted that, based on the structure, topics, and information disseminated, it is definite that skills were acquired.
He said, “We are satisfied that over the two-week period we have given you enough information, and we are certain that that information can be transformed into skills; and for that reason, we have satisfied our aims and objectives.”
The education and training officer said the department would continue to work diligently. He noted there is no battle between youth and senior leadership, thus it is a symbiotic relationship whereby they receive excellent guidance from the experienced Facilitator and Presidential Advisor under the Ministry of the Presidency’s Youth Empowerment Unit, Aubrey Norton.
In his remarks, Norton noted, “I hope this enables you to develop your abilities in your work. There is no doubt that our young people need leadership, and we are creating that corps of young people that can give that leadership. We hope that it enables you to develop tolerance. We believe if you take the skills or the training we give to you and utilise them, you will contribute to the development of Guyana. I want to wish you all the best.”
Giving the charge to the graduates, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson highlighted four key elements for success: leadership, education, challenges and hard work. The minister encouraged the students to live their lives, work hard, and be the change they wished to see in order to push Guyana forward. “Forge your own path, you know what is best for you. You’ve now started down a road of leadership, which means you should lead. This is just the beginning, this has just opened the door to a greater, better future; but be humble on your return to your communities, because leadership means humility. The future belongs to you. Push the country forward, and I hope you will stay here and help make Guyana great, because the future of this country looks extremely bright.”
Conceived in 2016 pursuant to the Guyana National Youth Policy, the training programmes began on June 3rd 2016. To date, 14 youth leadership training programmes have been held. Ten from Module One and four from Module Two. Over six hundred youth leaders have participated and completed training.
