The Board of Industrial Training (BIT) has awarded several training providers, known as Masters, for their contributions to the institution.
According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) press release, the Masters, who have been approved and licensed to instruct apprentices, were presented with their awards at BIT’s Competency-based Vocational Training for Employment Cocktail reception and Award ceremony. The ceremony was held last Wednesday evening at the Pegasus Hotel under the theme ‘Apprenticeship in focus and the awardees included GPL, GuySuCo, DDL and BOSAI.
The Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott delivered the feature address and noted that while BIT provides the oversight of the programmes, his ministry is very appreciative of the integral role played by the trainers in every formal Apprenticeship Scheme.
“The effectiveness of Masters in the context of fostering motivation, commitment and the right attitudes in an enlightened environment will determine the success of an Apprenticeship Scheme and by extension any business enterprise. The concept of alleviating attrition through strong apprenticeship programmes and the building of cohesive teams cannot be overemphasised,” Scott was quoted as saying.
The minister also singled out the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) as one of the Trainers/Masters which has significantly contributed to BIT. He encouraged others who are not yet licensed to take the necessary steps to become Masters of high repute, the DPI release added.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BIT, Richard Maughn stated that during the last 18 years under the traditional apprenticeship scheme 1,380 persons were fully trained for the labour force. The scheme has also secured 100 per cent employment for the programme’s beneficiaries after their training.
Maughn further highlighted that “at present 180 apprentices are undergoing training in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Ten at Guyana Power and Light (GPL), GuySuCo, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), BOSAI, Skeldon Energy Inc., Guyana Industrial Company Incorporated and Marics & Company Ltd.”
According to the CEO, in the future, the BIT centre will be modifying its mandate to substantially improve the delivery of its apprenticeship programme. Some of the measures it will take seek to establish long-term and broad consensus across the political spectra and with its social partners, utilise labour market intelligence on skill needs, promote the value of apprenticeship among employers and establish appropriate governance arrangements with the employer or employer-led organisations.
There are currently nine functioning Masters with an additional three which have been recently approved.
At the end of the official ceremony Skeldon Energy Inc., Marics & Company Ltd. and Nand Persaud and Company officially received their credentials as licensed Masters.
