9 welders graduate under BIT-DHBC apprenticeship programme

Nine apprentices formally joined Guyana’s skilled workforce Tuesday following the completion of the Welding Apprenticeship Programme, hosted by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) in partnership with the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC). The programme aims to address the growing need for skilled labour across the country’s industrial and infrastructural sectors.
At the ceremony, Labour and Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith praised the collaboration between BIT and DHBC and called on other organisations to follow suit.
“I want to thank and commend those in charge of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation for their foresight in collaborating with us to establish this apprenticeship programme. I also call publicly on more companies to engage with the Board of Industrial Training so that together we can mould and groom the future leaders of Guyana,” Minister Griffith said.

Speaking to the graduates, Griffith emphasised the broader significance of the apprenticeship, highlighting that their training equips them with skills that extend beyond employment.
“Now more than ever, there is a need for craftsmanship. You have learned a trade, but it is so much more than that. You have been prepared with the competence and ability to transform not only your lives but this entire country. You can work anywhere in the region and gain employment in welding. There is a demand for hundreds of welders across Guyana, and as development continues nationwide, the skills you have acquired over the last two years will be put to good use,” he said.
CEO of BIT, Richard Maughn, underscored that the programme’s competency-based model ensures graduates are workforce-ready.
“As an individual working on behalf of the Government of Guyana to ensure that quality training reaches all Guyanese, it was a privilege to work with the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation. I recall engaging with the corporation a few years ago, and to now witness the success of this programme is truly encouraging,” Maughn said.
He added that apprenticeship programmes provide assurance that participants acquire the competencies required for the world of work and encouraged graduates to remain appreciative and to give back to those who supported them throughout their journey.
So far in 2025, 314 individuals have benefited from BIT-administered apprenticeship programmes.