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Skills-training graduation ceremony held
SMYTHFIELD, NEW AMSTERDAM – Seventeen young Berbicians were given a second chance at life. These persons are now equipped with a skill to assist in their empowerment process.
They are the first batch of students to graduate in Berbice under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports’ Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training non-residential programme. The ceremony was held on Thursday at the Smythfield Drop-In Centre.
Members of the graduating class and their tutors.
The 17 were drawn from New Amsterdam and its environs.
This program targets school drop-outs; and, as such, they were trained in information technology and garment construction.
The Garment Construction Instructor, Daphne Cadogan, explained that during the eight-month stint, the students were exposed to various patterns of dress making, embroidery, and other patterns for garments.
The seven participants commenced training on March 6th at the Smythfield Drop-In Centre. From September 22nd to November 4th, the group was sent on a work study attachment at Lezon’s Sewing Establishment in New Amsterdam. Cleveland Rose was the tutor for Information Technology. This programme was started in March, and lasted for six months.
Best graduating student for Garment Construction was Leelawattie Thomby, and Candace Carmichael was selected for Information Technology.
Regional Culture, Youth and Sports Officer Omeshwar Sirikishun explained that there were initially 12 persons registered for the Information Technology programme, but three dropped out. There were only six computers, and this, he claimed, was the only challenge.
According to him, during the last stage of the training, students were assigned to the Regional Democratic Council Office, New Amsterdam Hospital, Lezon’s, and Mayor and Town Council of New Amsterdam.
Region Six Chairman, Zulfikar Mustapha, disclosed that many places had been initially suggested to host the training programme, and finally the Smithfield centre was chosen.
The President’s Youth Choice Building was the first choice, but at that time it was occupied by the students and teachers of the All Saints Primary School, since the school building was under construction. The structure is now available, and the operation would change its location.
He told those graduating of the need to adapt to the time in which they live, since there will be no place for untaught persons. According to him, Government spends large sums of money on development and persons must make use of all opportunities that come their way.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr. Frank Anthony, said that persons need to be empowered in order to rise above their situations.
Though education is free, there are still a number of school drop-outs, some of whom may not be academically inclined. One of the things the ministry decided on is to target such persons by giving them a skill.
At Sophia, there is a non-residential programme as well, where these persons would undergo training for a six-month period then work as apprentices for some companies; and, at the end, it is hoped that they would be given jobs. The Smythfield project is a replica of that one. There is a residential programme at Kuru-Kuru, and here the participants undergo a ten-month training period on how to develop business concepts, access finance and develop their own businesses.
The minister opined that children learn at different levels, and while some may go all the way to a tertiary education, others cannot cope. These may be technically or other ways oriented, and some schools cannot cater for this, resulting in some leaving school at an early age. This programme was specifically designed for those persons.
Smythfield initially wanted as many courses as offered at Sophia, but, unfortunately, had to start with a smaller amount.
When residence is taken up at the President’s Youth Choice Building in New Amsterdam, the areas offered for training are to be expanded but cognizance would be taken of what is needed in Berbice. In Georgetown, carpentry, masonry, air conditioning repairs and fridge repairs are done, but in different communities there are different needs.
Food for the Poor contributed 25 sewing machines, and these would be added to those at hand when the new location is occupied. The work done by the students during their training were mounted for exhibition during the graduation ceremony.
The next batch in New Amsterdam should commence training later this month. So far, at least 30 indicated their interest in being part of the programme.
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