The National Vocational Training Centre (NVTC) known as the Open Doors Centre for persons with disabilities held its annual open day activity last Thursday when items made by the students were put on sale.
The centre offers a range of courses to disabled persons, including electronics, electrical installation, information technology, garment construction, carpentry and joinery, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
Manager of NVTC Arthur Lewis said the mission of the centre is part of a holistic approach undertaken by the administration to strengthen rehabilitation services in Guyana, while providing persons with disabilities the opportunity to be trained with a life skill so that they too can become marketable and be integrated into society.
Lewis said that since the institution was established in 2000, hundreds of persons with disabilities have been trained with a life skill and have been able to contribute to the manpower of the country and economic productivity.
Persons with disabilities desirous of attending the centre must be between the ages of 16 and 45 years. The centre does not only provide training but also information about the rights and capabilities of persons with disabilities, through various awareness campaigns, GINA stated.
The operation of the facility is funded by the government and each course lasts for 18 months.
The Peace Corps also used the occasion to make a donation of five computers and one digital camera to the centre. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Hydar Ally received the computers on behalf of the centre and he noted that Peace Corps has been doing an excellent job in Guyana with the health sector in particular benefiting significantly in the area of rehabilitation services.
Persons from the community and several other institutions including the David Rose School for the Handicapped and the Carnegie School of Home Economics were present at the open day event, GINA added.
