Sixty-nine youths from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) graduated from the National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) executed by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).
From left to right in front row: BIT Technical Officer Richard Maughn; Assistant Director National Community Development Council Sandra Adams; Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott; Region 10 MP Jermaine Figueira; Assistant Director of Youth Leslyn Boyce; along with the 69 graduates of the BIT Youth Empowerment training project
Courses offered during the training include auto mechanics, welding and fabrication, catering and cake decoration, Information Technology (IT) and office procedure, personal computer repairs, heavy-duty equipment operation, care for the elderly, catering and commercial food preparation, and other life skills.
The graduation, which was held on Friday at the Linden Technical Institute, saw the attendance of Minister within the Social Protection Ministry, Keith Scott; Assistant Director of Youth Leslyn Boyce; Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian; and Region 10 Regional Executive Officer (REO), Gavin Clarke.
Minister Scott encouraged the graduates to take into consideration the cooperative movement, stressing that it is the way to go. Minister Scott noted that the Co-op movement has the ability to be an economic driving force for the development of Linden.
He pointed out that over the years, Linden has produced persons who have contributed significantly to the development of Guyana. Region 10 Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira, said the graduation of the youths marks the achievement of a milestone.
The training programme also saw several persons with disabilities participating and graduating. MP Figueira also commended them, stating, “we have in the midst some young people who are differently able, who are graduating with you today, and I believe that is indeed commendable.”
“It goes to show that when opportunities are provided and they are grasped, irrespective of our abilities that some might want to judge, if we take that time and employ the efforts that are needed, I believe success will come despite the disadvantages some of us may have,” Figueira is quoted by the Government Information Agency as saying.
The MP also encouraged the graduates to take advantage of the lending institutions and make use of the skills by becoming entrepreneurs.
