Eighty-five youths have successfully completed entrepreneurial training with the support of Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd, a release from the financial institution stated on Friday.
The graduation ceremony was held on January 26 at the Police Officer’s Training Centre in Kingston, Georgetown.
According to the release, 56 of the graduates will now benefit from startup grants totalling $13.75 million to open or enhance various business ventures. These business challenge winners are from various communities across the country in regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and Ten. Further, within the coming weeks, the youths will be engaged in purchasing the necessary equipment and supplies to venture into their preferred areas of business with ongoing business coaching provided.
The entrepreneurial development programme was launched in November, 2022 followed by a two-month Entrepreneurship/ Be Your Own Boss training, which included identifying the business challenge, along with business plan preparation and presentation. As a result of this training, the graduates are now able to develop their own business ideas, identify the characteristics and traits of a successful business owner, assess their own characteristics, attitudes and skills related to being business owners, conduct simple market research, understand the importance of differentiating from competitors, compile a marketing plan, register their businesses, keep basic financial records, and develop their own business plan among other key skills.
This initiative was made possible through the generosity of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, as part of its social investment programme, the “Power to Make a Difference”.
The programme was conducted by Specialists in Sustained Youth Development and Research (SSYDR) Inc.
