Ninety-six young people have completed a six-month Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training Programme as part of the government’s strategy to empower the nation’s youths.
A Department of Public Information (DPI) release yesterday stated that the training programme which was facilitated by the Minis-try of Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport began in February of this year and was held at the Sophia Training Centre. It offered the youths, skills-training in masonry, catering, data operation, plumbing, refrigeration & air conditioning, and welding & fabrication.
The students also participated in a six-week attachment with the Ministry of Social Protection, the Guyana Police Force, Ministry of Agriculture, the National Insurance Scheme and the Regional Democratic Council of Region Four.
Twenty-one-year-old Vanessa King said that she entered the programme with a plan to transform her life and become her own boss. “I chose air conditioning because it’s not what most girls would choose to pursue. My aim is to start my
own business, make my family proud,” King explained.
Best graduating student, Isaiah Knight, said anything can be achieved when you set your mind to it. “I would encourage other young men like myself to seek upliftment and push forward no matter the hardship. I pursued plumbing and I am very grateful for the skill I acquired. I will be joining the Guyana Defence Force shortly where I will apply my trade,” Knights disclosed.
One overwhelmed parent, Sarah Alexander, told the DPI that she is very grateful for the initiative since it provided the opportunity for her daughter to turn her life around. “When my daughter, Daniesha Jonas, dropped out of school, I felt I had failed her and was frustrated, however it is a known fact that education opens all doors and thanks to the government, through this programme she was given a chance to continue where she left off,” Alexander said.
In his address to the graduating students, Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton advised them to pursue self-development. “The entrepreneurship component of this programme is strategically crafted to enable you not only to become employable in your field but to improve you to start your own business and that I want you to take seriously.”
