Mahdia youths earned job passports through ICT workshop
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, November 2, 2019
Twenty-eight young people from the community of Mahdia recently graduated from an empowering and life-changing ICT and Robotics Training programmes. The initiative was a collaboration between the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the Office of the First Lady.
The class produced a 95% overall pass rate and were also taught subjects such as taught Stem Robotics, Mathematics, Literacy as well as Sexual Reproductive Health.
17-year-old, Carmen Francis said she travelled long distances for the past four weeks to attend the ICT Workshop, the teen added that perseverance led to her success.
“This programme was our first for the region, and I had to get on board, I had known a little about computers, but it was not enough. Today, I received my certificate, I know so much more now and can operate a computer,” Francis said.
The Best Graduating student award went to 18-year-old, Imanuel De Jonge, who explained he enrolled in the programme “to be more acquainted with technology because I realised that technology is moving at a fast rate. So, I seized that opportunity.”
“My advice to youths like myself is to follow their dreams, learn a trade because I did it, and I do not have any regret. I am very proud to be the best student, it was not easy, but through great family support, I made it, and so can my peers,” De Jonge happily added.
The First Lady, Her Excellency, Sandra Granger, in brief remarks to the graduates, stated her pride in their accomplishments and noted the more significant number of boys to girls in this training exercise.
“It struck me that 25% of the class were male, but they went with all the prizes, and this is a good thing because our experience is that young men are very hesitant to embark on this training, but as they realised the benefits, they informed their friends. So, I anticipate by our next workshop, we might see a few more young men participating,” she said.
The First Lady mentioned that several youths across the hinterland have benefited from similar ICT and Stem Robotics Workshops and disclosed that Mahdia will be exposed to more opportunities.
“Projects were done in Bina Hill, Mabaruma, Annai and now Mahdia; we will be going to other areas to get more youths to embark on this programme. Information Technology is a part of the future, and it is our responsibility to get our future generation onboard… I am happy to say that it was whispered to me that there are funds for us to come back to Mahdia and do a robotics camp.”
His Worship, the Mayor of Mahdia, David Adams, relayed that the certificates distributed for the ICT Workshop is recognised nationally and should serve as motivation to the graduates to reach for further goals.
“I am happy that the youths of Mahdia are getting these opportunities like the youths from the coastal region. Today, you are given the tool to improve and change your lives. Information technology is a vital tool in the working world, and now that you were trained and certified in ICT, you must now push yourselves to for higher goals,” the mayor said.