HEYS facilitators from six regions trained

Georgetown, GINA, June 20, 2016

The Hinterland Employment Youth Services (HEYS) programme continues to train facilitators. Thirty-five (35) persons from Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six underwent three days of training at the Indigenous Village, Sophia Exhibition centre.

Recently, 24 persons participated in the train the trainers’ sessions for the programme’s implementation in the Mabaruma sub-district, Region One. The three-day training programme saw trainers drawn from seven villages. These in turn will train a total of 120 youths within that sub- district.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock addressing the facilitators of the Hinterland Employment Youth Services programme

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock addressing the facilitators of the Hinterland Employment Youth Services programme

The HEYS programme utilises an integrated and user-friendly approach to learning, which seeks to give hinterland youth and young adults a chance, or in some cases, a second chance to maximise their full potential, economically and socially.

In May, training was initiated for facilitators in Regions Seven and Eight and earlier this month the training was rolled out in three villages in Region Nine; Annai, Aishalton and Lethem for more than 100 facilitators.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock speaking to the facilitators at the Sophia Complex, explained the importance of the training. He said, “Appropriate training is needed and this will help, we believe to ignite the imagination of the young people to become more creative.”

The aim of government is to encourage people living in the hinterland to become economically independent. Hence Minister Allicock reminded the facilitators of their importance to the process. “You could make an impact on the young people, you could make an impact on the communities that you work with,” the Minister stated.

Facilitators of the Hinterland Employment Youth Services programme undergoing training

Facilitators of the Hinterland Employment Youth Services programme undergoing training

Additionally, Minister Allicock pointed out that that the hinterland has many hidden talents waiting to be exposed. The provision of the master trainers for the HEYS programme is geared towards unlocking those talents. “This is giving you an opportunity to excel without hindrance because you will be working with a team, and you have the coordinator who is going to be touching base with you. I myself might check up on you sometimes,” the Minister said.

The HEYS programme is the fulfillment of a commitment by the Government, to positively contribute to improving the lifestyle and standards of living for youth and young adults residing in the hinterland who have an academic or non-academic need, irrespective of race, gender, religion or political persuasion.

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