Remain focused and further your studies – Min. Sarabo-Halley urges youths

By Isaiah Braithwaite

DPI, Guyana, Friday, May 24, 2019

Youths in the public service were today urged by Minister of Public Service, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley to remain focused and to qualify themselves further. Minister Sarabo-Halley was at the time speaking at a workshop held by the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) in observance of National Youth Week 2019. The young people were gathered from various sections of the public service.

National Youth Week 2019 is being observed under the theme ‘Inspire and Build Resilient Youth’. With that in mind, the minister told the young public servants that it is never too late to pick up the slack and go after their goals.

“Part of being resilient is recognising that everyone has a different time frame, everybody’s life works differently… but no matter what is going on in our surroundings, we remain focused on our goals and achieve them come what may” she underscored.

The young people were also encouraged to further their studies as there are lots of vacancies to be filled in the public service. According to the minister, the intention is to fill those vacant positions with persons within the ministries once they have the requisite qualifications.

“Furthering your studies is important. You cannot go into the public service and think that you have arrived [thinking] I do not need to do any more work, sit there and expect to be promoted. You have to further your studies.”

Minister Sarabo-Halley pointed out that the public service depends on the strength and vigour of youths to keep the wheels turning. She also noted that although the public service needs specificity, there is a need for experience coupled with qualifications.

Further, the minister told the young people that they must be mindful of their attitudes in their work environment and must be opened to taking advice. She stressed that for the work of the public service to be effective, there is a need for the experience of those who have already walked the path.

“What I am saying is that the persons who are not quite young, they have the institutional knowledge. They understand how the system works. There may be things, as young people we may want to change, but we have to first understand why it is? Why it is placed there? Why it is that the rules are the way they are? Why it is we have particular regulations? And, you can only learn that from persons who would have been there,” the minister stated.

The young public servants were also afforded the opportunity to interact with the minister, to raise concerns and offer solutions to some of the hiccups they face within the public service.

Images: Jules Gibson.

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