Govt, Nations University to partner to offer “unconventional” skills training for women

Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud has revealed that plans are underway for hundreds of women to receive skills training in a number of unconventional areas.
She made this disclosure on Friday during the launch of the Weekend Bootcamp’ of the AccelerateHer 3.0 programme.
According to Dr Persaud, she foresees that this major plan of hers would significantly enhance the lives of women countywide.
“…a big plan of mine; and knowing me, I want to see it happen…is that we put women in an unconventional sphere where we are partnering with City and Guilds Nations University to have 100 plumbers, 100 electricians, 100 masons and 100 carpenters,” Dr Persaud revealed. Her initiative was greeted with a round of applause. She then told women who were present at the AccelerateHer programme that they are not exempted from this training.
She said she doesn’t see any possible halt in the progression of growth for women throughout the nation.

“So that offer is wide open to you too, if you choose; but the main thing that we need to do is break down any notion that is on our heads that there might be walls or ceilings that can prevent us from achieving this, because in my mind there is none.”
Referring to Government’s unwavering belief that women can pursue income-generating opportunities in nontraditional sectors, Minister Persaud encouraged women to do feasibility studies before starting any prospective business venture. Moreover, she emphasised the need for persons to seek out opportunities beyond oil and gas.
“As we know, globally, there are lots of shocks that can happen because of the global crisis, but Guyana still continues to move in an upward trajectory, because we are looking at so many different avenues or people to elevate themselves to look beyond oil and gas,” she highlighted. Then she added, “Don’t only look at one thing for yourself. And the other thing I would like to tell you is: always invest in learning more. Go out there, even beyond your classroom environment; see what best practices are out there; see what people are doing in other countries.”
The Centre for Local Business Development launched its AccelerateHer programme with a weekend boot camp welcoming a new cohort of female entrepreneurs.
AccelerateHer aims to empower female business owners, operators and managers across diverse industries by providing one-on-one mentoring and a supportive peer-learning environment.
The programme received over 80 applications this year, with 25 candidates successfully shortlisted. (G2)