Bartica set to fulfill its potential

Jul 24, 2025 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – This “$360M state-of-the-art TVET facility (that was) commissioned in Bartica” is something that needs ‘talking about.’ It transcends present politics and current electioneering in Guyana. I see this as “Taking ‘relevant and necessary’ education to the people” as it continues the People’s Progressive Party’s vision to make learning opportunities ‘accessible and relevant’ to all members of a community, regardless of their background or current circumstances. Of course, this involves various strategies, such as providing flexible learning options, tailoring educational content to specific needs, and ensuring equitable access to resources. Ultimately, it aims to empower individuals and communities through knowledge and skills, fostering personal growth and societal progress.

Concerning this institution in Bartica, it is the “… sixth such facility completed under the Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project (GSDEP), (that is a PPP/C’s) flagship initiative that is changing the way education prepares young people for the world of work.” Make ‘no bones about it,’ as all of this is within the on-going tenure of the PPP/C’s governance of Guyana, going back to 2020. It shows progress, commitment and futuristic thinking as “…. similar facilities have already been opened at locations such as Fellowship, Hopetown, Beterverwagting, and St. Ignatius, with each serving as a hub for skill development and empowerment.”

Aligning this achievement with what is currently trending, I see that globally, the TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) landscape is undergoing a revolution, driven by the need to adapt to rapid technological advancements, changing job markets, and the imperative for lifelong learning. This revolution encompasses a shift from traditional, narrowly-focused training to more holistic approaches that integrate digital skills, soft skills, and adaptability. After all, Guyana is emerging as an economy ‘to reckon with.’ So, we cannot sit back and idle.

I remind Guyanese that the global TVET revolution is a complex and multifaceted process. It requires a commitment to innovation, adaptability, and collaboration to ensure that TVET systems be well-equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world. Let me elaborate on one aspect.

There is the welding workshop that is outfitted for arc, MIG, and acetylene welding. A quick footnote of MIG shows that it is about gas metal arc welding (GMAW), a versatile arc welding process that uses a continuous wire electrode and a shielding gas to join metal pieces together. The wire acts as both the electrode and the filler metal, while the shielding gas protects the weld area from atmospheric contamination. No wonder Minister Priya Manickchand highlighted with utter delight that this kind of direction “… represented far more than a new building. It reflected the government’s broader intention to provide students with real options, academic and practical.” As she also explained, it is about “… seeing boys taking up commercial food preparation and girls excelling in motor repairs, pointing to a shift in thinking that allows young people to pursue skills based on interest and talent rather than outdated gender norms.”

Without entering in a prolong debate, I am quite aware, that in the developed and developing world, there is the shift from academic to technical training since it offers numerous advantages, including faster entry into the workforce, focused skill development, and increased job prospects in high-demand fields. Technical training often involves hands-on learning, leading to practical experience and a better understanding of real-world applications. This can result in greater job satisfaction, higher earning potential, and improved career longevity.

Again, the Minister of Education was ‘spot-on’, pronouncing that “… the world is increasingly recognising that technical skills are just as valuable, if not more marketable, than traditional academic qualifications.”  She therefore quite rightly emphasised that the People’s Progressive Party Civic Government is not limiting students to only academic subjects or predefined career paths, but instead, offering them access to both academic learning and technical training so they can choose what suits them best in a rapidly changing world.”

I am quite aware that Bartica is now thriving and quite a gateway it is. According to President Irfaan Ali, “You have the potential to become a major logistics hub for the mining sector. But in order for you to become a major logistics hub for the mining sector, we must be able to produce food, and we must be able to provide services, whether it’s banking services, machining services, mechanical services.”

This facility then is quite necessary and timely.

Yours truly,

Hargesh B. Singh

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• Bartica, Hargesh B. Singh, potential, TVET

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