LTI launches Heavy Equipment Maintenance Programme

Jun 16, 2016 News

---

…opens brand new automotive workshop

By Enid Joaquin
The Linden Technical Institute (LTI) on Tuesday commissioned a spanking new automotive workshop and launched a Heavy Equipment maintenance programme.
The project, a pilot in Guyana, was undertaken after an assessment was done of other Technical Institutions across the country. LTI was reportedly chosen, because of Linden’s strategic positioning to mining locations–not only bauxite mining, but also gold and other precious ore mining sites.
It was an historic day for the prestigious learning institution, which has been integrally involved in the bauxite industry over the years. However where initially, skilled apprentices who graduated from the institution were absorbed in the industry, today other mining sectors across the country, benefit from the training and expertise their workers would have garnered from the institution.
The event was attended by representatives from Macorp, Charge d’Affaire of Canada, Daniel Joly; Robin Walter, Vice President of the College of the North Atlantic; Olato Sam, Linden’s Mayor Carwyn Holland; Regional Chairman, Rennis Morian, and Chairman of the board of Directors of LTI Gordon Gumbs, who chaired the proceedings.
Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Gumbs said that the collaboration with the Canadian Government has seen Linden come “full circle”, as the Demerara Bauxite Company (DEMBA) was a subsidiary of the Canada-based ALCAN.
“We can come together and observe this collaboration”, as we observe our centenary.
Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam, said that LTI has been significantly underutilized, while adding that the viability of the community rests on how much the facility is utilized. Sam emphasized the need to embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
He further added, “We must find a range of viable options for females to participate, but not just to participate, but break barriers that have hitherto prevented their participation.” A representative from the women Miner’s Association, Ms Primus, as if in answer to that call, said that members of her organization would be seeking to become involved in heavy equipment operations and maintenance.
She said that the organization would like to see the establishment of dormitories at LTI, to accommodate persons from places such as Mahdia and other interior locations.
Chairman Gumbs said that a request had been made for funds to be allocated for dormitory construction in this year’s budget, but that approval had not granted. He however promised to pursue the issue.
Canada’s Charge d’Affaires, Daniel Joly, stressed the importance of partnerships between training institutions and industries. Joly said that it was critical to bridge the gap existing in the Caribbean and other parts of the world between the skilled, and employers seeking those skills.
Jolie added that the Canadian college system had been very successful in promoting partnerships with industries and were involved in technical and vocational education. He described MACORP’s Partnership with LTI as visionary.
Training Coordinator of Macorp, Miguel Oviedo, in his reflections on the project said that the launching and establishment of the Institute’s automotive and Heavy Equipment Maintenance Programme is the product of years of dedication.
He said that it was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Linden Technical Institute, the Education Ministry, Macorp, the college of the North Atlantic and the Marine institute.
According to Oviedo, in 2012 representatives of Macorp conducted a Needs Analysis for an apprenticeship programme, based on the stipulated requirements, for the establishment of the Caterpillar Apprentice Service Technician Programme (CASTT).
Technical Institutes in Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Essequibo and Linden were the subjects of such assessment.
L.T.I was subsequently chosen as the pilot for the programme; infrastructural works and training commenced in 2012, Oviedo said.
The Education Ministry was simultaneously integrated into the process, he acknowledged. This was followed by the collaboration of the North Atlantic and the Marine Institute, two institutions that were in pursuit of establishing/ supporting empowerment programmes in developing countries such as Guyana.
Oviedo said that Macorp was honored to work with the Education Ministry, CNACC, the Marine Institute and other stakeholders, and welcomed the support.
He added that because Linden is strategically positioned, it is the hub of the mining industry and as such is an ideal geographical location for the launch of this major human resource development programme.
Apart from the recent project, Oviedo said that Macorp has been working collaboratively with L.T.I for a number of years.
The CASTT programme helps to enhance the knowledge base of the youth at the foundation technical level. It has progressive levels and is in alignment with the Caterpillar Technician Career Development Programme (TCDP).
In November 2013 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by representatives of L.T.I and Macorp.
The objective of the MOU was to identify and secure a mutually beneficial relationship to assist citizens in acquiring prerequisite skills and knowledge necessary for employment in the Mining Sector.
Oviedo said that the new workshop and the CASSTT curriculum will employ a competency-based methodology, which will result in the learners (both the trainees and trainers) gaining knowledge based on specific practical and theoretical objectives.
Students will gain knowledge, learn the fundamentals of service, diagnostics and repair.
He added that students will gain marketable skills, while the lecturers will be exposed to Developmental opportunities.
But the process does not end at this juncture Oviedo said, adding that over the next five years the programme will unfold continuously and progressively. He promised on behalf of Macorp that that will be provided in various ways to ensure that high standards are maintained. “We believe training is the key to success!”
Senior Lecturer in the mechanical department of LTI, D Nell Boyce, told of the journey undertaken by the institution and the destination.
He expressed gratitude to all those that collaborated, to make what has long been a dream, become reality.
While he expressed his overwhelming joy at its fruition, Boyce acknowledged that there is still more that can be done to further develop the facility.
Since its establishment in May 1958 the Linden Technical Institute, formerly the Demba Trade School, has remained one of those inexorable fixtures of the landscape of Mackenzie. It continues to be inextricably intertwined with the bauxite industry.
The institution, over the years, 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).
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.
Only last year Farm Supplies (FARMSUP) collaborated with LTI to further develop the facility, in preparation for Heavy equipment training.
The company had done some internal works, and put in a simulator machine to facilitate the simulator aspect of heavy equipment training.”
Simulator training precedes live training on real machines. It was described as cost-effective, safe and efficient.

---

---