The Linden Technical Institute, a fixture

Mar 10, 2013 News

By Enid Joaquin

Since its establishment in May 1958 the Linden Technical Institute, formerly the Demba Trades School, has remained one of those inexorable fixtures of the landscape of Mackenzie. It continues to be inextricably intertwined with the bauxite industry.
And like the industry, the institution also went through a number of name changes, until it was taken over by the Ministry of Education in 1996, when it was renamed the Linden Technical Institute (LTI).

Linden Technical Institute

Before this take over, the school was managed by Demba, Guybau, Guymine and Linmine (the same company despite the name changes) and trained students exclusively for the bauxite company.
As such, emphasis was mainly on the mechanical/electrical engineering and automotive skills training of apprentices that the company needed.
Later, a programme called instrumentation, and carpentry and joinery were added to the skills training that could be accessed at the Institute.
With the takeover by the Ministry, the curriculum became more broad-based. There was the introduction of business related subjects such as computer science, telecommunications, EDPM, and radio and electronics servicing.
LTI has two computer laboratories with over three dozen computers, but there is still need for more. There is also need for other equipment to improve efficiency in this area.
The advent of the business courses has seen a steady increase in the female population at the institution that had once been male dominated.
There are more than 250 students enrolled at LTI on a full time basis, but there are several others who attend part time.
The institute also serves as the Linden branch of the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education.
False Concept
Hector Anthony, a lecturer and past student at LTI, was quick to point out that the popular notion held by people that the ‘Trades school’ is for failures or school dropouts, is false.
“It really is a negative perception that is held by people that if you are not so smart or academically inclined then you go to the LTI, because here you don’t have to use your brain, just your hands.
“When you come from the secondary schools with your CXCs it makes it so much easier. As a matter of fact, being the holder of CXC qualifications is one of the entry requirements for the institution.
However those who don’t have (CXCs) are given an entrance examination to write, to ascertain their level of academic proficiency.
“With that and the skills that they would acquire at LTI would of course make these students more marketable.”
Students of LTI are no longer trained solely to satisfy the skills requirement of the bauxite industry, even though the company still commits to taking more than a dozen apprentices from the institution annually.
The others are either absorbed by entities within the community, or seek employment elsewhere.
At present the institution is undergoing a massive rehabilitation programme. There is the establishment of a new wing, and the rehabilitation of what is commonly known as the tools room, and the automotive section.
D’nelle Boyce, a lecturer in charge of the automotive section, said that the rehabilitation programme is to bring the institute up to speed with requirements for the Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ), by providing the right environment and the requisite equipment.
At present LTI uses the Guyana Technical Education Examination (GTEE).
Three pieces of equipment–two metal lathes and a milling machine, were last year presented to the institution by Government. This necessitated the total overhaul, including the installation of new electrical wiring and rehabilitation of the tools room, to accommodate the machinery.
Several pieces of old equipment were subsequently discarded.
Over the years students of the trades’ school would have built several components and furniture- both wooden and metal for their practical assignments.
The institution’s conference room is testimony to the diverse skills of the students who built it from scratch, did the electrical installation and painting and designed and built the furniture.
It is presently a small but integral piece of the infrastructure that the Principal, Mr. Denis Jaikara, proudly shows off.
Jaikara said that one of the projections of the institution is to build a showroom, where students’ handiwork could be exhibited.
Such a venture, he points out, would enable members of the community and potential customers, to view the students’ handiwork and subsequently place orders.
Funds garnered would help the institution become self sufficient, he added.
Other projections include the collaboration with other mining entities, outside of the bauxite sector, for the production of certain machinery components, as well as the attachment of apprentices; and partnering with two Canadian colleges where the focus would be on training heavy duty operators in both the operation and maintenance of heavy duty equipment.
The latter aspect is expected to greatly enhance training techniques, and by extension the total development of the institution.
Not all work
The Linden Technical Institute is however not about all work, as was recently demonstrated with their float presentation at the annual Mashramani Float parade on February 23 in Georgetown.
With the theme “Our Journey, Our Legacy”, the institution showcased in the royal colours of gold and purple, the rich history and proud legacy of the institution.
The float consisted of a giant robot in the guise of a transformer, which was aimed at depicting the ‘transformative nature’ of LTI to cater to the technological advancement in the various industries.
It was also symbolic of the various disciplines offered at the institution, and students’ readiness for the world of work.
The costume was designed by a senior lecturer at the institution, Clairemonte Taitt, and built by the students, on the grounds which were converted into a mash camp.
Over the years LTI also served as the official “Mash camp’ where costumes were built for the huge contingents that formed the Guymine floats that invaded Georgetown in the early days, after Mashramani was started in Linden.
Apart from its skills and academic training, LTI has produced some of the best athletes at both the National and international levels. These athletes constituted a formidable force in the “Guymine Games” in the past.
The institution thrives on its legacy of producing many of the best trade and craftsmen and technicians both at home and in the Caribbean.