The Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the UNDP are collaborating on a three-year formal training programme in the operation of heavy-duty equipment under a US$6M Enhanced Public Trust, Security and Inclusion Project.
A Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said 23 youth are participating in the programme through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT). Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir said though the number is small it is significant as it signals a number of achievements and a number of firsts in the country. He said there is no other formal training programme for heavy-duty operators and on completion of the course, the trainees will be certified by BIT. All trainees will be tested and must pass the exams that will be conducted by certified police officers.
Each trainee will be given a monthly stipend of $20,000 for accommodation during their attachment and an additional $4,000. It is expected that with the UNDP funding the trainees, chances of finding jobs will be increased. The minister urged that trainees adhere to safety protocols at all times as recklessness can result in injury, death and high replacement costs.
Didier Trebucq, Deputy Resident Representative at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said the agency has “always placed the importance of empowering youth at the forefront of its activities in Guyana and elsewhere.” He said that giving youth the skills they need to face the challenges in the future along with their involvement in positive and productive activities will greatly contribute to the development of the community and to building cohesion.
Guysuco General Manager Raymond Sankster said the corporation is the largest employer in Caribbean with the widest range of machinery and as such it is grateful for the BIT course. He noted that there is a labour shortage and he is hopeful that the company will benefit from the programme. Sankster also said Guysuco recently switched to mechanical harvesting, not with the intention of replacing manual labour, but rather to supplement it, and as such he encouraged the youths to seek employment with the company upon completion of their training.
Meanwhile, Guysuco Regional Director Rishi Sookram said the company is rehabilitating its production process with the aim of increasing production and productivity. He noted that there is a shortage of skills in Demerara and as such trainees will be assigned to the West Demerara estates.
Additionally, Michael Turner, Principal of the Linden Technical Institute which hosts the sessions, said the programme started in January with the first two batches of 40 youths who had undertaken 60 hours of life skills education, 40 hours of maintenance training (both theoretical and practical) and 180 hours of actual practice. He noted that the trainees were able to work vehicles in actual job situations such as levelling of sand and road grading.
Trainees of the BIT
heavy-duty programme
Another batch of 40 is currently in training and a similar number drawn from Linden and the Amerindian communities should begin training by October.
”Over $45M has been spent on the training programme and the continuous financial outpouring by the administration shows a strong commitment to ensure its underprivileged youths and single parents are given an opportunity to improve their situation,” GINA said. By month-end over 1100 youths would have graduated from the programme, double last year’s figure.
According to GINA the programme had also been expanded to include training in areas that have previously been unexplored, such as information technology and office training. The sum of $9M was spent to acquire excavation and other equipment.
