Dear Editor,
Amidst the furore of the Guyana-Venezuela (now settled issue), many missed that “One hundred sixty-three persons are now more adequately equipped to seek employment, after they graduated from Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC)…” This is not something to take lightly. The areas of expertise include Data Operations, Electrical Installation, Furniture-Making, Metalwork Engineering, Motor Vehicle Repairs, Plumbing, Welding and Fabrication, and Masonry.
What we need to know and accept, as well as act in this regard, is that developing countries must improve productivity throughout their economies if they are to compete successfully in an era of rapid economic and technological change. Improved productivity requires not only capital investment, but also a work force that has the flexibility to acquire new skills for the new jobs created, as the structures of economies and occupations change. The level of competence of a country’s skilled workers and technicians is a key determinant of labour force flexibility and productivity. Skilled workers and technicians enhance the quality and efficiency of product development, production, and maintenance, and they are able to supervise and train workers with lesser skills.
The bottom line is that improving the job skills of the work force has been a cornerstone of economic development theory and practice and has received more international assistance than any other form or level of education.
As I congratulate both the Government and those who have just graduated, I fully endorsed Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, who “… encouraged the graduating class to continue striving for excellence in all their future endeavor, noting that the transformation of the nation is in their hands.” Quite correctly he explained that “The skills that the graduates now possess are currently needed in the construction, manufacturing, civil engineering, mechanical, oil and gas, and hostile industries, given the demand for skill persons compared to the labour shortage in these markets.”
Editor, more and more people are beginning to realise that investing in the skills development of a nation, through vocational training, is a critical component of human capital development. Many communities still hold technical and vocational training in disdain, and this has resulted in an influx of individuals who are enrolled in universities ultimately resulting in high unemployment. I add that the high unemployment figure in many cases is exacerbated by the skills gap that exists in countries where a number of graduates are channeled out, yet without skills that meet the needs of the specific economy. So, I am glad that our government is not falling prey to this flaw.
The Minister was timely in this regard, encouraging the successful participants that they should not “… let anyone look down upon (them), don’t let anyone suggest to you because they are more literate than you, they are worthy than you. What takes you through this world to success is confidence. When no one believes in you, you have to believe in yourself.”
Indeed, as Hamilton said, “The programme demonstrates the Labour Ministry’s and the Government’s commitment to ensure that persons, particularly youths, have both skills and employability.”
Yours truly,
HB Singh
