Labour Minister among other collaborative partners and graduates
In the rapidly expanding world of fiber optics, 15 employees of Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) have completed training in the Fiber Optic Installer and Technician Programme, facilitated by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).
During the graduation ceremony at GPL’s Sophia Training Centre, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Support Services, Renford Homer, who played a pivotal role in this initiative, explained how Guyana has lagged in technology.
Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton
“We are now morphing into the very level of energy management that you’ve heard the Government of Guyana, through various ministers of Cabinet, speak very loudly to—that is to basically revolutionise our energy sector, first and foremost, by realising the Gas to Energy Project (GtE), which is a significant project and is unprecedented in this country.”
He added that as fiber is one of the highest considerations, an assurance must be made that there is enough manpower to facilitate the demands of fiber optic installation.
“Whatever infrastructure we choose, and largely that will be fiber, we want to know that we do have the skills within the organisation that could not only respond to those instances where something needs to be done but also be part and parcel of the strategic thinking and forward thrust of the organisation as we surge forward into what we call the Guyana Energy Smart Future.”
Renford Homer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Strategic Services, awarding a graduate a certificate
This is essentially an objective that the company has set with the blessing of the Government of Guyana. And the company is steadfastly moving towards that. The expectation, of course, by the government is that, while it is fully embracing and endorsing the Guyana Energy Smart Future, Guyana Power and Light, as a critical utility, is ensuring that the necessary skill sets are being developed and, more importantly, that they can be retained.
Meanwhile, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton has urged the graduates to put what they have learned to practical use.
“A lot of people are caught up in their certification. You know, and for you young people, I would say this to you: pay no attention to a person who is caught up with their masters and mistresses and they have no show on the road. Education, unless it is utilised to develop the society, is useless. Certificates, unless you’re utilising the knowledge to give service to people and your nation, that’s why you’re educated and trained. It’s not for style.”
On this note, the Minister expressed hope that, with more training initiatives, more persons in the country can become meaningfully employed.
“You’re one of many thousands the Board of Industrial Training has trained in the last four years. In the last four years, we have trained nearly 12,000 persons, 12,000 persons through the length and breadth of this country. And all different skill sets you could think about,” he told the graduates.
The programme started on March 19 and saw an overall investment of $3.9 million.
The training is designed to teach individuals the skills and knowledge required to install, maintain, and troubleshoot fiber optic communication systems and is one of many programmes facilitated by the Board of Industrial Training to support the upskilling of the local labor sector.
The fifteen participants comprised eight from the System Control and Operations Department, two from the Information Technology Division, one from the Human Resources Department, and four from the Transmission and Distribution Department, Zone 11.
