The government is continuing with its drive to make post-secondary education and skills training available across Guyana’s rural and hinterland regions and this time it has focussed its attention on Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Berbice, where more than 20 women, ages 16 to 38, are on a journey to becoming certified in Information Technology (IT).
This was stated on Thursday in a Ministry of Labour release which also highlighted that this training, which is being facilitated by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), has the potential to greatly improve the women’s job prospects in Guyana’s growing IT sector.
The release pointed out that for many of these women, this is a rare opportunity as rural areas like Yakusari were often overlooked for educational and training programmes, unlike the more developed coastal regions.
As such, the IT certification programme is another step toward empowering the community and creating a brighter future for its residents. This is especially significant for Yakusari, a farming village, which has long faced challenges such as high rates of school dropouts, teenage pregnancy, and suicide.
During a recent visit to the training programme, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton expressed his admiration for the commitment shown by the women. He urged them to complete the course, emphasising the importance of seizing this opportunity as a stepping stone toward personal empowerment and financial independence.
Hamilton also encouraged the trainees to inspire others in the village to join similar programmes and benefit from the training provided by BIT.
In addition to the IT certification, programmes such as Welding and Fabrication, Agro-Processing, Motor Mechanics, Cosmetology, A/C Repairs and Refrigeration, and Electrical Installation are also being carried out in the region.
