A course aimed at training young people to operate and repair heavy machinery was launched on Tuesday at the Linden Technical Institute (LTI).
According to a GINA press release, the course is the first of its kind in the Caribbean, and to support it, the automotive workshop at LTI was refurbished. Tuesday’s ceremony was also to officially open the new workshop.
According to the release, these developments were made possible through the Canadian funded CARICOM Education for Employment Programme, under which the Canadian government is contributing $19M to support the Caribbean region in developing demand-driven vocational education programmes. Charge d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission, Daniel Joly explained that these programmes equip graduates with the precise skills that are needed by the labour market.
“Partnerships between training institutions and industry are critical to bridging the gaps which exist within the Caribbean between the persons who have skills and are looking for jobs and employers who have vacant jobs and no skilled persons to fill them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam, in his feature address called for all stakeholders to reflect on the journey that would have brought them to this point and asked that they be highly enthused about the tremendous prospect that lies ahead.
“We the duty bearers must endure that the promise that exists is fulfilled and we leave a rich foundation upon which future generations can erect a superstructure,” he said.
