On Monday 266 early school leavers and single parents graduated in various fields from the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) programme.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the graduation exercise was held at the National Cultural Centre for 112 participants in the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) and 154 persons in the Single Parents Training Programme, including one man.
In her feature address Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand urged the graduates to apply themselves and utilize the skills and equipment given them to their full advantage.
She also gave assurances of government’s continued commitment to reducing poverty through differing means adding that “none will be left behind.”
Manickchand noted that many persons become vulnerable for various reasons and are forced to raise children without the contribution of the other parent. For this reason, government took a decision to establish the National Single Parent Register in 2008 and took into consideration the types of assistance requested. “We learnt from you the interventions that you needed and where we could have assisted you to better provide for your families and in becoming better parents,” Manickchand said.
Employed mothers requested assistance with day care expenses while unemployed parents sought skills training.
GINA said the single parents participated in Childcare, Care for the Elderly, Pharmacy Bond Clerk, Medical Records, Health Care, Cosmetology, Sewing, Catering, Office Procedures and Information Technology courses. The NTPYE graduates received training in various disciplines including joinery, auto mechanic, plumbing, carpentry, welding, electrical and computer repairs. Manickchand said after their certification, the graduates will receive equipment to begin their trade and whether or not the employment serves as the main source of income, the aim is to improve their standards of living.
In delivering the charge, Trevor Clark, UNDP Project Manager for the Enhanced Public Trust Security and Inclusion programme, challenged the graduates to boost their skills. Clark said the group seemed very enthusiastic and he was confident of their ability to succeed. He encouraged the parents of the NTPYE graduates to continue to propel them towards success and applauded their willingness in allowing them to be trained.
Meanwhile, BIT Chair-man Dr Dale Bisnauth paid tribute to the charges who he said have upgraded their status in a number of ways. He noted that development is about improvement in every aspect of life including housing, education, health and economics but most importantly about people. Bisnauth said it was this realisation which prompted government towards equipping its citizens with the necessary skills to make quality contributions to both personal and national development. “Having made use of this opportunity, you would go on to become productive citizens,” he added.
NTPYE Project Co-ordinator Coreen Connelly in her project report said the graduates represent the final batch of trainees for regions three and four for the year. She disclosed that it was challenging to work in a learning environment with adults but the project has seen success. Connelly said 971 persons have been trained so far from eight of the 10 regions bringing the total NTPYE trained persons to 1,083.
The project coordinator said the Board has already exceeded its target with 372 single parents graduating from an initial count of 412.
