‘Most matured’ Region One BIT graduate says still following her dreams

GINA, GUYANA, Thursday, April 27, 2017

Forty-five year old Beverly Wilson from Kwebanna in the Morcua Sub-District Region One is a mother and a wife. She is the ‘most matured’ graduate from the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), National Training Project for Youth Empowerment under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Protection.

Even though this programme has an age limit (18-35 years), an exception was made giving her what she described as a “very blessed opportunity”.

The BIT graduation was held at the Flavio La Rose Hall, Santa Rosa which saw 47 youths graduating in areas such as catering, cake decorating, plumbing and block making.

Wilson told the Government Information Agency (GINA), that her husband always wanted her to learn how to cook, “so this opportunity arise and I took it.”  She said that her family has been very supportive throughout her journey. She highlighted that since her training commenced; the meals in her home have become more “fancy”. She noted that she now pays attention to the little details like presentation, taste and colour of the food.

She will further her training in the area of catering “and in the next five years when I am more developed, I do plan to start training young women in my village,” Wilson said.

Technical Officer, BIT, Mohammed Shaheed told the graduands that when young people are trained, they become assets. He noted that the programme targeted mostly school dropouts. Shaheed added that the Government will continue to prioritise technical training.

The training aims to equip youths with relevant knowledge and skills in their desired trade areas so that they can realise their full potential. The six-month training commenced in October 2016 and during the period, students were given a stipend of $6,000 monthly.

In respect to the courses that were offered, Shaheed noted that 17 persons graduated in cake decorating and catering and 15 each in plumbing and block making. The Technical Officer said that the relevant stakeholders are working together to make the training more accessible and available to other communities.

BIT Board Member and Principal of the Essequibo Technical Institute, Michael Turner encouraged the young people to advance their studies, while placing emphasis on entrepreneurship. He told the graduands that the training that they received is not just for their personal development, but for the advancement of their families, society, and country, and t0 develop businesses which will create employment. “The richest people in the world are entrepreneurs,” Turner said.

Deputy Toshao of Santa Rosa, Graham Hopkinson and Deputy Toshao of Kwebanna, Murine Henry both encouraged the young people to put their training into practice for the development of the Region. They noted that Region One has a lot to offer the country, and it can only be done if there are “educated, motivated young people who are willinging to take up the mantle and put in the work.”

Philbert Sandy, 25 years, graduated in block making. He noted that his journey was very easy and that he enjoyed every moment of it. He said that he plans to open up his own block making business in the coming months.

Barbara Peters, a trainer and also participant, graduated in catering and cake decorating. She explained that the young people that she trained came from different social and economic backgrounds, and she had to adjust to everyone’s personality. Peters said that her journey was remarkable and if the opportunity arises again she will take it.

By: Gabreila Patram