Junior Minister of Social Protection, Keith Scott last week Thurs-day visited the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI), where he was made privy to training efforts between the Institute and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).
A release from the ministry related that through the collaborative efforts of the entities, two programmes, General Building Construction and Repair and Child Care & Development, are being offered to students.
For the former, which will commence during the first week of June, trainees will receive technical training to construct a building, from foundation up, within the NATI compound, to house BIT’s simulator for its Heavy-Duty Equipment Operation (HDEO) Training, which is currently being conducted at NATI. The building programme will target school dropouts and at-risk and under privileged teens as young as age 15, who hail from communities within Region Six.
It was stated that having the simulator housed at the Institute will not only be convenient for the administration of the programme, but will allow BIT to “move towards a virtual and practical training platform”. The ministry reported that during Scott’s visit, he was treated to a walkthrough of the proposed construction site.
Meanwhile, the Child Care Development programme, which is scheduled to start mid-May, aims to provide caregivers with the technical knowledge to aid in their provision of responsible and compassionate services to young children.
The ministry reported that the minister, while meeting and greeting the students during the visit, said to them that “their presence was a sign that they are taking control of their future and they should ensure that everything is done to continue along that course.”
Further, he noted that the implementation of the aforementioned programmes was proof of government’s commitment toward the development of the nation and its young people, particularly those who missed out on their secondary and post-secondary educational opportunity.
He also commended the initiative of the agencies, and their efforts to ensure that youths are fully prepared to compete in the local job market, by equipping them with relevant competencies.
