New industrial training centre to meet CVQ standards

In a significant step towards advancing skills development and certification, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), through the Ministry of Labour, has officially commissioned its new training office and Skills Development & Certification Centre on Tuesday.

The state-of-the-art facility is designed to meet Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) standards. CVQ is a recognized and portable qualification in CARICOM, obtainable for secondary school graduates, school leavers without certification, employees, displaced workers seeking new skills to re-enter the workforce, self-employed individuals, or persons seeking new skills.
The launch, held in New Amsterdam, Region Six 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne), was attended by key personnel, including Government officials, regional leaders, and heads of departments from the BIT.
Spearheading the commissioning ceremony was Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton, who highlighted that the new facility would significantly improve residents’ access to training programmes offered by that ministry.
“I can see evidence of what we are doing, especially with the establishment of this facility. I can see (the) residents here, including retired individuals, benefitting from the programmes we have (implemented) and will continue to implement in the region,” he stated.
The minister emphasized the transformative impact of Government-led training initiatives, particularly in Region Six, where 2,571 persons have been trained over the past four years.
These trainings were conducted through 109 programmes, with an investment of $185 million. Notably, 1,410 males and 1,230 females have benefitted from these initiatives, underscoring Government’s focus on inclusivity and equal opportunity.
Meanwhile, Board of Industrial Training (BIT) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Maughn provided brief remarks. Expounding on the organization’s growth and the recognition of its programmes, he highlighted the BIT’s commitment to ensuring that its training programmes are accredited and recognized both locally and internationally, opening doors for trainees to access better job opportunities and further education.
Additionally, Region Six Chairman David Armogan, who is also Chairman of the Board of Industrial Training, and His Worship Mayor Wainwright McIntosh, also addressed the gathering, expressing gratitude for the establishment of the centre in Berbice.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by other staff from BIT, who will play a pivotal role in the implementation of training programmes and certification processes.
The building spans two levels, each covering 2,000 square feet, offering ample space for training and certification programmes.
The establishment of the Skills Development & Certification Centre in New Amsterdam marks a milestone in Government’s efforts to decentralize training opportunities and promote regional development.
As Guyana continues to experience economic growth, initiatives like these are seen as essential to ensuring that all citizens can participate in and benefit from the nation’s progress.
Meanwhile, to date, some 12,000 persons have been trained through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) since 2020, signalling an investment of more than $169 million by the Government of Guyana. Of this total, 1,490 persons were trained in 2024.