205 graduated from BIT youth empowerment programme

MORE THAN 200 Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) youths graduated
from the Friday from the Board of Industrial Training’s (BIT) National Training Project for
Youth Empowerment held at the Leonora Technical and Vocational Training Centre.
“No place is too far. No place must be left out of the opportunities and the facilities that BIT
brings to this country. I can say to you graduating students today that for the first time in the
history of Guyana, (that in) every region in this country we have a Board of Industrial Training
officer” Labour Minister, Joe Hamilton told graduates.
Hamilton explained BIT’s ubiquity “is because we recognise the importance of what (it) must
do” as the vehicle to upskill and empower especially women in ways society has historically held
them back.
BIT’s Region Three Technical Officer, Earl Pestano in his project report revealed that some 205
persons had applied to enter the programme. He said 36 were trained at Pam’s Catering and
Garment Facilities; 16 in garment construction and 20 in catering.
From the group, another 38 received training at the Alpha Foundation; 20 of those were in child
care, while the remaining 18 pursued geriatric care. Minister Hamilton in his delivery added that
15 youths were trained in cosmetology at NG Beauty Salon; 14 in food preparation at Heavenly
Taste; and 14 in garment construction at Nicola’s Fashion and Sewing Establishment.
The labour minister said 50 received training at the Leonora Technical and Vocational Training
Centre: 30 in Heavy Duty Equipment Operation (HDEO) and 20 in small engine repairs. He
noted that another 13 were trained in Information Technology at the Leguan Computer Centre
through the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC); 10 in garment construction at the
Wakenaam NDC, and 15 in cosmetology at Fort Island through the NDC there.
At the graduation ceremony, the government minister also handed over a spanking new heavy-
duty equipment operation (HDEO) simulator machine to the centre. The simulator was donated

by the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), a development programme operating under the Ministry
of Finance.
Mr. Alvin Jack, who is the Heavy Duty Equipment Trainer, disclosed that the government will
save on fuel costs when trainees learn using the simulator rather than actual equipment. Hamilton
added that the heavy-duty equipment would also be protected from the wear and tear of trainee
use, as they will perfect their operation skills on the simulator.