“Think outside the box” – Hamilton urges women to undertake male-dominated jobs

In bringing training to Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) residents that will ultimately create employment in skill-based fields, women have been urged to step into fields that are societally labelled as male-dominated.

The Board of Industrial Training has introduced the Entrepreneurial Network of Seventh-day Adventists (LENSA) training programme, for the residents of Region 10.
In his address, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton said that an inclusive environment is essential in welcoming women to skill-based fields. On the other hand, he encouraged females to step out of gender stereotypes and undertake new opportunities.
“We have not yet created the conditions to allow them to participate in that skillset. Women, come out of this narrow path that men and society have set for you, determining what type of training you will get and what type of job you will get. Think outside the box,” he urged.
Minister Hamilton also added that support should be provided at all levels to encourage such undertakings. In response, this would alleviate the shortage of skillsets within the labour force, and contribute to meaningful employment for scores of females.
“I believe we have a responsibility and a duty to ensure that the same support females gave to us over the decades, we give them that support so that they can climb any mountain and any dream they set themselves, they can succeed in it.”
“We cannot continue to operate in society and keep females out from certain types of training and jobs. We will not be successful. How do you keep more than half of the population out of some skillsets and then you wonder how we don’t have enough electricians in the region? It is because you’re not allowing 50 per cent of the people to be trained,” he added.
The initiative enables opportunities in various TVET occupational areas annually, leading to employment for the residents in the region. The partnership will target training and skills development, through competency-based training, that will produce the enhancement of interpersonal and professional skills needed to increase efficiency in services.
The Board of Industrial Training and the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, going forward will work closely to identify prospective facilities to carry out training, recruit qualified individuals to train persons desirous of learning a skill, provide technical assistance for specialised training geared towards building professional skills and make materials and basic tools available for each course.
Hamilton added, “Pay some attention to jobs where real money exists…We’re stalled as a nation because we have paid attention only to one side of educational development. We have to redefine what education is at the level of the regional administration, national administration.” (G12)