281 graduate from BIT programme

Some 281 individuals graduated from several programmes being offered by the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

The graduation ceremony hosted on Friday at Outback Adventures in Canje, Berbice, Region Six saw graduates of all age groups.

DPI interviewed several middle-aged graduates who encouraged younger persons to take advantage of the courses.

Forty-seven-year-old, Jephthah Junor said the training programmes prepare persons with the necessary skills to enter the workforce.

“Well, I always wanted to learn bobcat operation along with excavator, it is something I always wanted to do. So here I have the opportunity, I told myself 47 is not too old after all I still young. So, I took advantage of the opportunity and thankfully everything went well so far. In fact, I encourage any other person, do not be contented with just one certificate try to get five or six or ten even because in that way you will be properly prepared for the market.”

Oneika Ramsuchit, a mother of three who has the skills, but was not accredited encouraged other women to be empowered by upskilling.

“It is basically to be certified because like you would know people would say you have the skills and mindset but you don’t have the certificate to show you are qualified in this area. So having a certificate tells a lot, it gives you more power and as a woman, I encourage persons like-minded to diversify your skills, be entrepreneurs for the younger girls and younger persons.

“Especially women, you should get up and get, diversify your skills and mindset so that today or tomorrow if something happened you can be able to stand on your feet and feed your family because we women tend to be left with the family.”

Rodrick Ageday said the course provided him with the opportunity to upgrade his life.

“I always wanted a certificate to upgrade myself in a better way that I could get a better money and establish to get a better job. I am trying to establish myself to get a job at the oil rig and do something better and upgrade more in the heavy-duty course,” he told DPI.

Additionally, the programmes provided teens straight out of high school to advance their career goals.

Young Janece Hinds, one of the few girls, who completed the heavy-duty equipment course, encouraged other females to pursue their dreams in the field.

“I chose heavy- duty mechanic because you don’t really find females in such fields and I want to make a difference and encourage more females that they can do anything.  I intend to explore my options more and make use of my certifications worldwide and help motivate more females that we can be in the field and pursue their dreams.”

Safiyyha Alli also expressed her love for machines. “Well, there are many courses available and I wanted to be a part of them. I intend to work because I love machines, so I will probably work at Macorp or one of the companies with machines.”

Young Travis Chase, a top graduate, already has a goal for the future.

“I really have a passion for operating like heavy-duty machines, different kinds. And I really want to expand my knowledge and knowing how to operate more and so forth. I intend to further my studies more into it and after that I plan on working in the mines to gain experience.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, MP, highlighted that persons should be multiskilled and multitalented.

“You have to be multitalented and multiskilled. so, when a door is closed, you can walk into another door. So, the point is you have to be multitalented and multiskilled to ensure that you will always remain employable.

“Therefore, one of the things BIT must do is whilst you give skills to those who don’t have skills you have to ensure that those that already have a skill are accredited and certified because they will be displaced by foreigners. And we can go and cry as much as we want that will not change the situation. What will change the situation is what we are doing here today.”

Region Six Chairman, David Armogan, Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Manzoor Nadir and Chief Executive Officer of BIT, Richard Maughn, among other officials were also in attendance. The courses provided by BIT include cake decoration, garment construction, heavy-duty and equipment, welding and fabrication, cosmetology and book building. The training is opened to all age groups with no educational requirements and is free of cost.