Dreams come true because of BIT for over 200 graduate from Regions One, Two

Wilbert Chester, 36-year-old becoming a qualified heavy-duty equipment operator has always
been his childhood dream.
However, through the Labour Ministry’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT), that dream was
realised, as he was among the 147 persons in Region Two, who received their certificates from
the training programmes Chester in a media related interview feared his dream would no longer
come true since he was forced to drop out of school for personal reasons. It was a friend who
encouraged him to participate in the training programme.
“I didn’t think it was relevant at that time, but a few months ago a friend introduced me to a BIT
form and told me to go and join and I will get through and do it,” Chester said. Aliyah Naitram,
another graduate who decided to challenge herself in getting trained in a field widely believed to
be only for males.

“We usually find that men are into heavy-duty machinery… which females were not enthusiastic
about and so I decided to take it as a challenge. Now, I am very proud to say that I hold a heavy-
duty machinery certificate,” Naitram explained. Despite Louanna Ramnarine being the lone
female in the electrical installation programme, she said it was her passion to be part of the
training.
“It is something that I always wanted to do as in my community we do not have anybody, and so
I would say to other women that this profession is not only for men but women can do it as
well,” Ramnarine said. In the Moruca Sub-Region, many graduates thanked government for
providing the programmes, which they said, will foster their development.
Althea Thorne, 32 years old said she is “really happy about this training where I can now earn
some money to better my life and the lives of my children.” The mother of seven is now certified
in commercial food preparation and she intends to soon start her catering business. Alvin
George, who hails from the Manawarin community, is now certified in of photovoltaic
installation and repairs. Speaking with DPI, Alvin said he decided to participate in the
programme as there, “is in need in my community due to our poor electricity there and because it
is of a hinterland area and that is the only electricity at this point of time.”
Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, in his address, reiterated the importance of education and
how it contributes to country’s development. He reminded graduates that the country’s
infrastructural, economic and other sectors are progressing.   “All of the facilities you see today
did not just come, but people paid a price for it through their blood, sweat and tears of poor
ordinary people who did not have schooling. They just knew that you will have a better life than
I have so do not take things for granted,” Hamilton said.
He added that they, “have a responsibility to help develop your community and region and you
have a responsibility to help develop this country of ours.” Hamilton commended the graduates
for completing their respective courses despite the challenges they faced amid the pandemic. He
recommitted government’s support to the development of its citizens.

Additionally, the graduates completed training programmes in Commercial Food Preparation,
Garment Construction, Heavy-Duty Equipment Operation, Shade House Gardening, General
Building Construction, Boat Building, Electrical Installation, Cosmetology among others.