Twenty-Four women among graduates of Scotiabank’s youth development initiative

Jul 21, 2024 Features / Columnists, News, Waterfalls Magazine

L-R HHTT Jennifer Massiah, Justin Thompson Scotiabank and Carlene Pooran HHTT

Waterfalls Magazine – Queens College Auditorium was a hive of activities last Sunday, as 100 persons including 24 women graduated from the Construction Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Training, a youth development initiative funded by Scotiabank Guyana and facilitated by Habitat for Humanity Trinidad and Tobago (HHTT).

The training programme, which targeted youths between the ages of 16 – 30 years, received more than two hundred applications from across the country. Those who graduated included young contractors, out of school youth, business professionals and home owners.

Shazeem Baljit a young contractor said he found the course ‘helpful, particularly the lectures and practical on roofing and plastering.’ He said despite ‘knowing some of the theory, the course taught him the right way of doing the work.’

Jennifer Massiah, the National Director for HHTT while expressing appreciation to Scotiabank Guyana explained that it exposed the students to international building standards and guidelines, and included project management and health and safety. Lecturers were drawn from Trinidad and Tobago.

Dason Anthony,a first-time home owner said he was dissatisfied with the quality of work delivered by some contractors. The training, he said, gave him a better understanding of, and knowledge about, construction.

According to Anthony more people, including contractors, should participate in such courses as it can save home owners money, and upskill local carpenters and contractors.

The Construction Technology Training (CTT) introduced participants to theoretical and practical aspects of constructionincluding understanding structural and architectural drawing sand concrete technology.

Neishauna Harnarain, a young business consultant who specializes in management systems said the course ‘gave her hands on experience, was very informative and gave her a better understanding of how construction works.’

Justin Thompson, Senior Managerin Scotiabank’s Country Management Office who delivered remarks on behalf of Scotiabank Guyana said that the initiative was funded through the Scotia Rise programme at a cost of GY$3.875,000. He said the bank is committed to investing in the development of the young people of Guyana and to the promotion of economic resilience and increased access to opportunities to create a more inclusive world.

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Development, Graduates, initiative, Scotiabank’s, Women

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