Garment construction centre commissioned in Mahdia

The Amerindian Affairs Ministry on Tuesday launched a new garment construction programme in Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), to equip persons in and around the mining town with new life skills.
The newly commissioned garment construction centre is equipped with 30 sewing machines that can work both electronically and manually, with the first batch of 30 persons set to undergo a two-week strategically crafted training programme.
“While gold mining, logging and other economic activities form part of the pillar of our economy in this subregion and most importantly Mahdia, imparting skills in young people and women is also important,” Britton said, adding that this garment construction programme aims to provide an opportunity for such person to not only gain income but also personal development skills.
“Development is much more than roads, bridges and buildings. While these things are important and significant indicators of development, it is much more than that,” said Shawn Britton, Deputy Regional Executive Officer.
Community Service Officer Eslyn Hussein, one of the beneficiaries of the programme, commended its establishment and encouraged others to join.
“This programme is not about which political party you belong to or support, it is about learning new skills and being financially independent,” Hussein said. “It is another way you can fight against poverty. You can even start your own business with the new skills you learn.”
With this certificate training, residents from Mahdia and other surrounding communities will be able to purchase school uniforms right in their villages.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai encouraged persons to partake in training opportunities as such available across the hinterland, managed not only by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry but also by agencies such as the Labour and Human Services and Social Security Ministries, Guyana Technical Institute (GTI), Carnegie School of Home Economics and even the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
“Education is one component of the general education of our populace but building skill sets, providing them with technical support and training is also another component of educating our young people,” Sukhai said.
“Whatever opportunity comes, it comes to those who are willing, those who are taking the opportunity and those who are desirous of building themselves up to reach the changes and transitions taking place in our country,” Sukhai said.
In the past year and a half, 129 persons completed the garment construction programme. This year, the target is similar.
Those who complete the programme will receive a certificate of completion to verify their skill attainment.
Minister Sukhai also encouraged trained persons to work with the CSOs and create a sewing establishment to engage others in learning the basic skills of garment making.
Apart from this training, in the past 18 months, 200 drivers have been certified and licensed and 165 solar panel installation operators were certified across the hinterland.
The Ministry also intends on focusing efforts this year towards training people with skills in small engine repairs and tourism and hospitality.