Capacity building for youths highlighted at Youth Fair

May 27, 2017 News

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A Career Exposition and Health Fair was held earlier this week at D’Urban Park on the occasion of National Youth Week 2017.
Minister within the Ministry of Education with responsibility for Youth, Nicolette Henry, told those gathered that the future of Guyana lies in the hands for our youth.
“Our biggest challenges and our greatest opportunity is to build the best trained workforce that can rise to intense competition from around the world,” Henry said
She explained that in order for this to happen, all Guyana must prepare the younger generation.
The event attracted some 50 organizations, educating youths on various skills, opportunities, career fields, and training available to them.
First Lady Sandra Granger, Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes and Director of Youth Melissa Carmichael, were among the prominent attendees.
Minister Hughes who delivered the keynote address, told youths not forget their dreams. She urged that they use technology to the best of their ability, for it connects them to the world. She spoke on moral values and reminded the young listeners that they have “the awesome ability to make choices based on principles and these choices always work.”
“Your attitude will most definitely determine your altitude,” Minister Hughes stated. She reminded the youngsters that there is no shortcut to success, and urged them to remain focused, and committed to education.
Apart from the formalities, this publication spoke to several organizations present at the fair, and also sought feedback from students.
Assistant Field Officer Marvin Drakes, spoke of the Award programme that has been around since 1998. It is about voluntary self-development and activities, and caters to youths between 14 and 24. They are introduced to four mandates: skills training, service, physical recreation and expeditions. The programme falls directly under the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport.
Also present was Freightlink Express, an online shopping company that provides flexible payment options, free courier mail, free consolidation on packages and flexible deposits for any order. “The company works with your budget,” a representative told Kaieteur News.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FORESTRY
Sonia Reese, Communication Manager of Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) informed that the GFC seeks to educate young people on the importance of forestry to Guyana, as well as all the opportunities available in the field. She explained that persons who would like to start a career in forestry first have to attend the Guyana School of Agriculture. “After receiving a certificate, you can then seek employment at the GFC,” she advised.
The University of the Southern Caribbean was another exhibit at the fair. It is a private, coeducational institution with Trinidadian origins. Apart from three locations in Trinidad, along with sites in Antigua, Barbados and St. Lucia, the entity has been in Guyana for some 26 years
and offers Bachelor’s Degrees only – Bachelor of Arts in Management, Bachelor of Education in Primary Education, Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in English, and Bachelor of Science in Social Science. The latter course is not completed in Guyana. Interested persons are encouraged to visit the local office at 40 Anira Street, Queenstown or visit the website www.usc.edc.tt
Then there was the Small Business Bureau, whose representative, Julian Edwards, said that on offer is the option of self- employment. The bureau supports small businesses in terms training, finance and support.
Melissa Peters, a volunteer with Voluntary and Support Platform (VSP), said that the youth desk is a new initiative which is an information hub to learn about any Ministry within Guyana, any scholarship, and programmes available to youths. It also houses the recently launched YIPoG, (Youth Innovation Project of Guyana) through which youths are to design, develop and produce innovative ideas which the government will provide finances.
Nickeisha Bacchus explained that VSP offers young person’s the opportunity to give back to Guyana through voluntarism. They offer peer education training to schools and different organizations. Projects are going on in all 10 regions; persons interested can contact 227-7575.
Meanwhile, several students provided their impressions of the fair.
First form student of Richard Ishmael Secondary, Serena Anderson, said that the speeches on moral values were much appreciated, and the fair had widened her knowledge on career opportunities.
Hemraj Arjun, a St. George’s Secondary student said the event had been fun and he is “looking forward to joining the army”.
Sarah Reynolds of East Ruimveldt Secondary School said she found the theatre of school and art interesting, and she would like to pursue a career in arts.
Quinella McIntyre of New Era Academy Foundation explained thatsince learning of the GFC, she isn’t sure that she will follow up a medical career.
And mother of eight, Yonette Persaud, commended the efforts of the government to host such a fair.

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