Fifty-one students in Region Six graduated from the Youth Entrepreneurial Training Programme (YEST) on Friday.
During the Vryman’s Erven Training Centre’s (VETC) 15th graduation ceremony, at the Guyana Teachers’ Union Hall in New Amsterdam, the graduates collected certificates in Data Operations, General Cosmetology, Food Preparation and Home Repairs, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).
Sponsored by the Department of Culture, Youth and Sports, the YEST Programme provides technical, vocational, entrepreneurial and life skills training to youths between ages 16-25.
According to DPI, Director of Youth Melissa Carmichael-Haynes told the graduates “…you have skills and ability that you can utilise to not only develop yourself but also develop your respective communities. You will be faced with many challenges and hurdles, but if you believe in yourself and have a purpose in your heart to achieve the goals that you have set for your life, then, those goals will be achieved.”
Data Operations student, Shanera Rudder who emerged as valedictorian, told her colleagues that as they celebrate “more than a decade of learning, we should feel proud that we did not give up. On this occasion, we are surrounded by all the persons who made it possible for us”.
Acting Administrator of the VETC, Cleveland Rose said that in the institution’s
projections there will be further facilitation of the recruitment and training of 200 youths in all disciplines, with more staff training sessions being conducted.
To date, the Vryman’s Erven Training Centre (VETC) has seen some 467 youths graduate.
