The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport says 78 students equipped with skills in six different fields graduated from the 22nd Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training Programme on Friday.
Nelroy Moriah, the best graduating student in the field of masonry was also named the Most Outstanding Trainee before a packed audience comprising relatives and friends, at the graduation ceremony held at the Carifesta Sports Complex. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, the best graduating students in the five other fields are Natasha Pollydore – catering; Marcia Verbeke – handicraft; Kitta Corbin – Information Technology and Office Administration; Joel Mortimer – refrigeration and air conditioning and Mahendra Rickeiram and Keifer Whitehead -welding and fabrication.
“We are all rewarded when we come to graduation ceremonies and we can see so many smiling faces,” Minister Dr Frank Anthony said in his address. The minister said YEST was started in order to give early-school leavers and other young adults a chance to learn an employable skill. He said to date, persons continue to demonstrate an interest in the programmes and as such the ministry is considering expanding it.
Anthony also acknowledged that there have been a number of drop-outs – 32 from this course – and the ministry has deployed a social worker to provide counselling, support and intervention when necessary, to help students to complete the programme. “This meant that 32 persons were not given the opportunity to better themselves as we cannot stop a course halfway to fill the spaces or conduct recruitment in the middle of a course,” he explained. At the same time, Anthony was pleased that 78 students have now graduated and therefore can pursue at least one of two avenues: secure employment or further their students.
In giving an overview of the course, Senior Training Officer David Sookram said 42 young men and 36 young women between the ages of 16 and 25 comprised the 22nd batch. “During the six-month training programme, trainees were exposed to 65% practical training with 35% theoretical instruction…a four-week work-study stint was included in the practical training with both private and public companies,” he said.
The sessions were held at the Sophia Training Centre. The YEST programme is also offered at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
