Thirty-six ‘out-of-school’ youth recently graduated from courses run off under the National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE).
The Government Information Agency (GINA) said the programme aims to equip the country’s youth with skills that would assist in nation-building. The NTPYE collaborated with the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the Friendship Oxygen Company Ltd to host the sessions in Information Technology (IT) and Office Procedures (OP). Students were given a stipend of $4,000 and were sent on work-study at various agencies after graduating.
In his address at the ceremony Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir said the programme is “powered by the demands of the labour market and it’s a programme that is delivering individuals who are able to function effectively in our world of work.” He said over the last 14 months there have been about 844 vacancies listed for administrative professionals, which means that there that there needs to be more than 36 students graduating from the programme to fill those posts. He noted too that there are over 250 businesses countrywide that facilitate the attachment of trainees. The minister encouraged the graduates to work hard and to work continuously to advance themselves to secure the job of their preference.
In addition, Managing Director of Friendship Oxygen Ltd Peter Assing said his company is willing to work assiduously to improve the lives of youths by providing opportunities for them. He said the programme provides an opening for disadvantaged youths, particularly those who dropped out of high school, by giving them a second chance to acquire an education and to make them marketable. The company’s objective is to give back to the community as the country needs help to reduce poverty and promote an aggressive workforce. Assing said he was hopeful that the graduates will use the skills they have acquired to make a difference in the world and become role models.
BIT Chairman Dr Dale Bisnauth said the programme is the most exciting one BIT has ever hosted and congratulated the students on their achievements. In addition, Gafoor’s CEO Sattaur Gafoor told the graduates that the greatest asset one can possess is education. He added that it is important to have knowledge of modern technologies as the world is advancing. He urged the students to take full advantage of the opportunity that they have been offered and to use what they have learnt to gain experience in the world of work.
The ceremony was held at the Gafoor’s Conference Hall at Houston. CEO of BIT Alana Brassington and CEO of Giftland Office Max Roy also attended the ceremony.
