Region Five youths complete Skills-training Camp

DPI, Guyana, Saturday, August 18, 2018

Several youths from across Region Five, Mahaica-Berbice, on August 17, completed a two-week skills training camp at the Hopetown Practical Instruction Centre, West Coast Berbice.

The camp, which was organised by the Schools Welfare Section of the Education Department in Region Five, targeted secondary school students from within the region. The participants were identified by their Head Teachers.

Throughout the two weeks, the youths received trained in cake making, cake decoration, tie-dye and block making.

According to Region Five’s Schools Welfare Officer, Gloria Davidson, the camp would have served to ensure that the participants were gainfully occupied while schools are in recess for the August holidays. The aim of the initiative was to empower the individuals through the development of the skills, to later be able to launch economic ventures utilising the skills acquired during the camp.

Davidson said that the administration is seeking, as far as possible, to produce rounded individuals. She explained that although an individual may be academically inclined and be employed in a particular field; that individual may still be able to utilise whatever skills they would have acquired to generate additional income. Davidson further stated that the authorities are optimistic that the exposure given to the participants would serve to motivate some of them to take up the trade.

Addressing the gathering at the closing ceremony, retired Assistant Chief Education Officer, Leslyn Edwards-Charles, congratulated the organisers of the camp and echoing Davidson, noted that exposure to programmes like these “could be just what some individuals need to encourage them to launch their own viable economic ventures” after completing school.

Edwards-Charles challenged the youngsters to ensure that the skills which they would have acquired over the period be utilised to benefit themselves and their communities. Particularly, since such skills are always in demand. She reminded that with good management whichever business an individual embarks upon, the venture will flourish as long as the individual is committed to the enterprise and is prepared to work hard.

Story and Images: Bertie Peters

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