Forty-three apprentices from various sugar estates who received certificates on Friday after completing four years of study at the GuySuCo Port Mourant Training Centre were told that there will be major upgrades to the current curriculum to lift industry standards.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, addressing the 49th graduation exercise, observed that although all the areas in which the apprentices excelled are necessary to the viability of the industry, an adjustment to the current academic curriculum was needed to lift industry standards, the Government Informa-tion Agency (GINA) reported.
This view was shared by newly-appointed GuySuCo acting Chief Executive Officer Paul Bhim who said that the only way in which the corporation can truly compete is to automate, mechanise and raise the profile of its apprentices to deal appropriately with these technological advancements.
Bhim said that the introduction of training in computer-aided design software (AUTOCAD) technology is a step in the right direction.
Challenge
A challenge, Bhim noted, is the inability of the company to keep the apprentices in its employ after the period of industrial attachment would have been completed. Currently, less than 20% of apprentices remain in GuySuCo’s employ.
However, Bhim said, the more than $100M annual budget should more than demonstrate GuySuCo’s unstinted support and investment in its current and future employees.
Minister Persaud told the graduates that their batch must be considered the ‘torch bearers of change’ who must view their future with optimism, despite the current challenges being faced as there have been many positive steps within the sugar industry.
The minister said these were ‘exciting times’ and urged the graduates not to look upon them with trepidation, but with confidence that the industry in which they chose to operate places great emphasis not only on their workers, but also in the ways in which it can contribute to national development and the creation of wealth.
Meanwhile, newly-appointed manager of the training facility, Lall Persaud, himself a GuySuCo training school apprentice and instructor, intends to have major upgrades to the curriculum.
Already there are plans to upgrade the workshop and classroom facilities and there is a new computer lab with computers donated by the Norris Brothers. Electronic libraries will be introduced and most importantly there will be training for instructors on new aspects of the curriculum, GINA reported.
The class of 2010 Valedictorian Ruel Jagroop gained distinctions and a credit in Electronics and Instrument Repair Mechanics.
Other awardees were Mike David with best performance in Fitting and Machining, Daniel Persaud, Electrical and Instruments, Biram Seeram, Agricultural Mechanic and Auto, Subaschand Mohabir, Instrument Repair Mechanics.