2000 persons engage in skills training under BIT since August

-growing interest in skills training

The Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT) has trained over 2,000 people in several occupational fields over the past four months in keeping with the Government’s vision to ensure Guyana has a skilled workforce.

BIT Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Richard Maughn, disclosed the numbers during an interview with DPI) on Friday.

Some 1,190 persons were fully engaged in training programmes countrywide over the past fortnight, he said.  This includes training in engineering trade – welding and fabrication and mechanics, appliance repair, cell phone repairs and maintenance, garment construction, cosmetology, hospitality, and child care. The training was conducted under the National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) and the Single Parent Training Programme administered by BIT.

Mr. Maughn said the programmes are being implemented in keeping with the COVID-19 measures.  The training is being conducted both online and in classroom settings, though classroom sizes have reduced from 20 trainees at any one time, to only seven.

“So, what we are doing is blended learning…because of the types of programmes we do. We are a TVET [Technical Vocational Education and Training] related agency; you’ll find competencies for certain areas must be measured from a practical standpoint… so you find now that our lectures are working longer hours teaching the same number of beneficiaries,” Mr. Maughn said.

While there have been some challenges, including some students experiencing difficulties accessing stable internet connectivity or adequate devices, BIT has been trying to find ways to support affected students.

Meanwhile, more people are showing interest in the training.

“Last year, we engaged 2,383 persons, and at the moment, we are above that and persons continue to access our programme during the pandemic, and I think more and more persons are understanding the importance of acquiring a skill,” Mr. Maugh said.

The Board of Industrial Training provides apprenticeship training in keeping with its mandate as enshrined in the Industrial Training Act. The agency has conducted training in more than 150 occupational areas over the past years in keeping with the technical and workforce needs of the country.