A total of 164 persons living in various communities in Region Two will be benefitting from skills training programmes under the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT).
The programmes were launched on Friday and Saturday by Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton at various locations along the Essequibo Coast.
According to Minister Hamilton, the programmes will enable those that do not have the requisite entry level qualifications to gain a “hard” skill through the Board and at the end they will be given a certificate that will make them marketable.
Hamilton said that the training is spread across the region and covers varies disciplines, including electrical installation, information technology, joinery, garment construction, commercial food preparation and heavy duty equipment operations.
The Minister said that his ministry is collaborating with NGOs and schools to roll out the training programmes. All materials will be provided for the training and stipends will be given to participants by the Ministry of Labour.
Hamilton encouraged prospective trainees, particularly women, to think outside the box as he said he was happy that women are taking up hard skills programmes. He said that majority of women are now trained in mechanics.
His Ministry is also working with the Essequibo Technical Institute to train more persons.
Meanwhile Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva said that she was pleased that persons were making use of the training. She, too, was happy that women were being empowered in the process and urged them to venture into cottage industries upon the completion of their training. She also urged them to keep on studying.
