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BIT Training Programmes drive community development in Moruca
Recently concluded were three training programmes in the villages of Kwebanna, Koko and Kamwatta in the Moruca sub-region of Region One (Barima/Waini).
BIT graduates from Santa Rosa and Kwebanna, Sub-District, Region One posing with their certificates. Seated in front are from Left: Technical Officer- BIT, Mohammed Shaheed; Deputy Toshao of Santa Rosa, Graham Hopkinson; Deputy Toshao of Kwebanna, Murine Henry; CEO, BTI, Maria Khelawan; and BIT Board Member and Principal of the Essequibo Technical Institute, Michael Turner.
The programmes were administered and delivered by the Board of Industrial Training in the areas of plumbing, block making, catering and cake decoration. Ongoing are also refrigeration and air-conditioning repairs and information technology in the community.
Graham Atkinson, Deputy Toshao of Moruca, spoke of the importance of the block making programme done in the village. He stated that given the move from traditional style homes to a more modern style, a skill like block making is fundamental to progressing in the construction arena.
The block making group of 13 young men and two young women collectively decided on a community development project to utilize the blocks made and become active contributors in the advancement of their community.
The group was also encouraged to develop their own entrepreneurial enterprise and provided the start-up moulds, materials and gear required.
Mr. Atkinson also applauded the work of the plumbing trainees, stating that during the practical component of the training, trainees conducted repair works on various government buildings in multiple communities in the sub-region, with all the materials provided by the Board of Industrial Training.
Murine Henry, Deputy Toshao of Kwebana, on speaking on the impact of the catering programme done in that community, stated that one of the clear impacts she saw from the programme was the development of self-sufficiency of the women participating, and their ability to gain confidence in themselves from the learning experience in addition to the acquisition of a practical, employable skill.
She applauded the programme for being empowering in many different ways.
The Board of Industrial Training has for over 100 years been at the forefront of apprenticeship training.
Chairman of BIT Mr. Clinton Williams stated that this proud tradition of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) has continued through the years via the Apprenticeship programme run in conjunction of some notable organisations in the private sector, with advances being made in recent years, including incorporating new Masters such as Republic Bank Limited.
According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BIT, the agency in recent years, has also provided training programmes such as those done in Moruca, through its narrow skills training profile in a variety of industrial training areas. The purpose of these shorter term programmes were to ensure that all citizens can acquire a technical or vocational skill and gain employment, or upgrade these skills to the next professional level.
She noted also, that with this collaboration with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, BIT endeavours to make training relevant to the community, to ensure that persons can transfer that knowledge to personal wealth development or growth. In this manner, training, she said, is beneficial to the family, to the community and to the country.
In addition to these programmes, community training initiatives have also been implemented in Matthew’s Ridge and Mabaruma, also in Region One, and various other areas countrywide.
Just recently, BIT carried out training in Whitewater, also in Region One.
It was through the Village Council, being spearheaded by Toshao, Cleveland D’Souza, that the construction of a guesthouse was included in the community’s development plan.
This initiative was lauded by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and that entity’s blessing was bestowed upon the enterprise.
The Ministry of Social Protection was engaged, and via its agency, BIT, took up this mantle and engaged community leaders and 14 young persons to be trained for the hospitality sector, and to be employed at the guesthouse, once completed.
The training focused on catering and cake decoration, and commenced in November 2016, and completed at the end of February this year, with a graduation ceremony held for the graduates on March 8. Participants were provided all the materials for the training along with a monthly stipend and payment to the trainer.
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