MoIPA and MACORP Signs MOU
– Approximately 1000 youths targeted for training
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and Machinery Corporation of Guyana (MACORP) on August 26. The agreement aims to ensure the growth and development of hinterland youths with respect to education for empowerment within the primary productive sectors.
The MoU will see the delivery of specialised training through MACORPS “Technicians for the Caribbean” programme which will target approximately 1000 young people aged sixteen years and older.
Before the signing, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Hon. Sydney Allicock said he is pleased with the strides made following a prior discussion. “I believe this is the way business should go or development should go because time waits on no one and the longer we wait we could miss the boat and the hinterland is a key component in this development.”
The Minister added that “I really love the concept and for me, this is what Guyana needs; forward-thinking, forward-planning and for a country that is taking off we should be on that first flight and here is an opportunity for us to make it work.”
The success of this open collaboration according to MACORP’s Chief Executive Officer Guillermo Escarraga will weigh heavily on the willingness of technicians to complete the programme.
He added that “as required we will be visiting and providing the assistance and the training department in MACORP is committed to assisting in the completion of this program for many students. It’s for a good cause and we are excited to be working with you during this partnership.”
This past June, during a tour of MACORPS’ Providence location, Minister Allicock pointed out that the Bina Hill Institute for Learning which is located in Region 9, North Rupununi, is perfectly positioned to capitalise on this opportunity since agriculture is one of its main focus as well as its role in spare heading Government’s Green State Development Thrust.
Bina Hill’s Principal Dr. Laureen Pierre who also witnessed the signing noted that “this is very important to have because I have had young men in the Rupununi say to me I can operate all of these things and when is MACORP coming, and we need to be able to fix things (machinery):.
MACORP currently offers a free six-month training under its Technicians for the Caribbean Project which provides extensive training for young people, making them eligible for employment internationally.
Technicians are expected to complete the mandatory six hundred hours of training to successfully complete the program which caters for three main categories.
Category One caters for persons with some amount of knowledge and experience and who do not possess qualifications from a recognised institution, category two caters for persons who successfully complete a formal secondary level of learning including a vocational institution.
The third category caters for persons who want to learn, or a person desirous of becoming a technician with no limitations.
According to MACORPS top brass, the company continues to see remarkable success since it thrives on “getting it right the first time, every time” as the company lives up to its Motto of Let’s Build Guyana Together.