Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton is the latest in a string of government officials to meet with the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB).
Following their meeting last week at the St. Francis Community Developers Training Centre, a mutual interest was expressed to see youngsters across the country benefiting from skill training.
According to a release from the board, “The two delegations discussed a wide array of topics including vocational training for youths, leadership seminars for club management, cooperation to tackle child abuse and child labour along with hosting of a cricket tournament.”
The release added, “Minister Hamilton indicated that he was really interested in working along with the BCB as he was impressed with its work and linkage with youths.”
Head of the Industrial Board, Richard Maughn, spoke broadly on the training programmes associated with the ministry after the BCB head indicated an interest in getting young cricketers trained in areas that would allow them to gain meaningful employment, noting that not all youths would be able to pass with flying colours at the CSEC level.
Foster noted that gaining skills to become a carpenter, mechanic or a tailor to name a few, can assist them to gain an income and take them away from a life of crime.
Minister Hamilton mandated the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) head to follow up discussions with the BCB to organise some sessions.
Foster also expressed disappointment at the level of management at the club level in Berbice and the need for the hosting of leadership skills seminars for the younger level.
He said that this would be discussed further with the hope of organizing seminars in the near future.
The BCB also sought to obtain the cooperation of the ministry to stop child abuse and child labour in the county.
Minister Hamilton mandated the Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, to work along with Foster to have a campaign involving posters and bill boards while he also committed to have discussions with the Minister of Sports concerning the hosting of a cricket tournament by his ministry to promote the problem of child abuse.
Foster expressed gratitude to the minister for taking time out to meet with the board and stated that the BCB looks forward to a successful relationship.
