76 in Kwakwani completes BIT training

– persons grateful for training opportunity
Armed with a life skill through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) for Youth Empowerment,
seventy – six (76) persons from Region Ten, graduated on Friday
Held in the boardroom of Kwakwani Guest House, the graduation was attended by Labour
Minister, Joseph Hamilton. There were four courses; cake decoration, electrical installation,
small engine repairs and cosmetology. In an interview, Tenecia Dequoy, the only woman to
complete the electrical installation course, said the government’s mission of empowerment
through the BIT programmes must be commended. “I would like to say thank you to the
Minister, Joseph Hamilton. To the Government of Guyana, thank you for the opportunity you
have given us as young people to develop ourselves, our self esteem, our values. It is a really
good opportunity,” Dequoy said.

Leandro Grant, who earned a certificate in small engine repairs is equally grateful that the BIT
programme reached Kwakwani. He said often times there is no equity in learning opportunities
between the coast and the outer regions. Grant noted that the certificate is golden, as he has been
involved in the mechanical field for a number of years. “Thank you very much for this
opportunity whereby I can stay right in Kwakwani and still acquire this certificate, that I can
make myself marketable anywhere that I go around Guyana,” Grant stressed.
Britney Monah spoke of the challenges she faced during the cosmetology course. However, she
persevered. “At the end I made it. At a point I wanted to give up. Someone came to Kwakwani
and said that we have to pay for the course. I was very annoyed, I wanted to quit. It was like
since January we started and it was very stressful but I didn’t give up,” Monah said
Meanwhile, Minister Hamilton said that the graduation today is the first in Kwakwani. He
reiterated that the BIT programme will continue throughout the country, giving equal learning
opportunities to every Guyanese.
Hamilton urged the graduates to acquire multiple skills, which will enhance their chances of
gaining employment. “I hope that you acquire more than one skill so that if you work at one
place and they close up shop for whatever reason, or if you set up your business, and it’s not
doing that well, you can turn to something else that you already have the skill. Wisdom say have
the skill so when the job comes, you can get it,” he said.
The labour minister declared that there is no barrier to persons that want to complete multiple
courses through BIT; however, a person is not allowed to study two or more courses at the same
time. Hamilton said the more persons are trained; the more likely petty crimes will decrease.
Minister Hamilton reiterated too, that there be no gender domination in the courses offered.