“I am ready to actually start building my own house” – BIT graduate
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeS2twzQFyA” width=”100%” height=”315″]
– 142 graduated from ETI youth empowerment project
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, November 28, 2018
“We learned a lot in class. I did not know much when I started but now I am ready to actually start building my own house.” This was the declaration made by Peter Henyan who graduated in general building and construction after participating in the Board of Industrial’s Training (BIT) national training project for youth empowerment.
Henyan further added that today he is more confident about working in the construction field and was “super excited [to] have graduated today.”
Henyan along with 142 other students graduated today from the five-month course at the Essequibo Technical Institute. The participants were trained in Heavy Duty Equipment Operation Training, General Building and Construction, Electrical Installation, Food Preparation, Welding & Fabrication and Refrigeration and Air Condition.
Britney Benjamin was one of five females who completed her course in Heavy Duty Equipment Operation. When asked why she chose a male-dominated field, she said: “it interests me because I just love operating various types of machinery and this course further educated me.”
Kellicia Jonas who did food preparation was elated to have completed the course and to be better equipped in an area she is very enthusiastic about. “With food preparation, some of the things that we prepared, we had some prior knowledge but when the teacher came and taught us … it was different. We now know how to present it differently and how to get a different taste to the meal” Jonas explained.
The graduates were urged not to remain stagnant but to pursue even higher training. Assistant Director of Youth, Leslyn Boyce in delivering the feature address encouraged them to further develop their skills. Boyce said by doing that, they will be able to directly contribute to the growth and development of their communities.
“Each one of you graduating today should see yourself as an agent of change, you are now equipped with the knowledge skills which you can use to be self-developed and independent. I encourage you to utilise those skills and knowledge you have acquired wisely to develop, produce and serve from which you can earn and become active participants in developing the communities you are from,” the Assistant Director of Youth stated.
The Principal of the Essequibo Technical Institute, Rawle Pearce also made a pitch to the graduates, inviting them to join the institute to further develop their skills. Pearce said that others who previously graduated from the youth empowerment course and joined the institute have done exceedingly well. Additionally, he pointed out that the future looks “exciting and opportunity-filled” for those in the technical fields since 90 per cent of the jobs in the oil and gas sector requires these skills.
Regional Executive Officer of Region Two, Rupert Hopkinson also echoed similar sentiments encouraging the participants to further their education. Hopkinson said that a nation can benefit from the education and training of its citizens. He highlighted to the students that once they can positively contribute to the nation, it will be in a better position to provide better social services.
Isaiah Braithwaite.
Images by Leon Leung.