This was the largest graduating batch at the STC which commenced on January 26 with 81 males and 52 females, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a news release.
The six-month programme targeted unemployed and unskilled youths between the ages of 16-25.
The courses offered are catering, office administration and information technology, refrigeration and AC repairs, welding and fabrication, handicraft, and masonry and were executed through 65 percent practical work, 35 percent theoretical work and work study, which was done at both private and public entities.
Recently, 169 students graduated from the programme at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre (KKTC) at the Soesdyke, Linden Highway.
Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony in the feature address said that the programme offers youths a chance to become employable and ensure that they are equipped to go back into their communities as citizens who can make a difference, Anthony challenged the graduands to make every effort to ensure that they use the skills and knowledge that they would have acquired to make positive changes in their lives.
And he commended the educators and other staff members of the Centre on their hard work and tireless efforts to overcome the challenges that they have encountered in executing their duties to ensure that the batch came out successful.
Meanwhile, the minister disclosed that his ministry has been working to improve and develop both the programmes offered and the Centre. He also called on the parents to help to enforce some of the values and discipline that have been imparted to the students during the course of the programme.
Supervisor of the Centre, Brian King, said that the programme provides for a second chance for vulnerable youths in society, while at the same time promoting small businesses and developing entrepreneurial skills.
The programme aims to provide education and specialized training to youths from the entire country, provide residential comfort and interaction to youths of different backgrounds, prepare trainees for job entry through work attachments in various public and private sector agencies, provide the opportunities for trainees to participate and develop their talents in cultural activities, sports and confidence building and develop entrepreneurial skills through practice.
Since the introduction of the programme, over 900 youths countrywide have been able to acquire meaningful employment, GINA said.
