Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 23, 2017 News
…as 223 graduate from YEST
On Friday, 223 youths from across Guyana successfully graduated from the Ministry of Education’s Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training (YEST) Programme. Originally 258 started the course.
The graduates underwent ten months of training in nine skills training areas at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre. Those areas included Business Studies, Carpentry, Electrical Installation, Furniture making, Garment construction, Masonry, Motor Mechanics, Plumbing and Sheet metal, Refrigeration and Air-condition, Welding and Fabrication and Drivers’ Education. These courses commenced in October, 2016.
Thirty-two were bestowed with awards for outstanding performances. Kevin Wellington who was presented with the award for being the best Carpentry student also received the accolade of best graduating trainee. As part of their training they were offered and took up stints at various private agencies which have since offered the trainees permanent employment and continue to express their interest in doing so.
The organisers have expressed the hope that the partnerships are strengthened in an effort to promote a higher level of sustainability for young people.
Permanent Secretary Melissa Tucker in addressing the graduates of this course as she had done for those at Vryman’s Erven Training Centre, New Amsterdam and the Sophia Training Centre offered heartiest congratulations and best wishes on Minister Nicolette Henry’s behalf.
The 13th batch of graduating students was also hailed for their perseverance, dedication and commitment which they displayed over the past 10 months that helped them to realise their dreams of being qualified with much-needed skills that they will take into their professional lives.
Reflecting, PS Tucker noted that when the students first took up the challenge they were unsure of what to expect; the difference was notable in their mannerisms, personalities and creative abilities, the latter of which was on showcase as part of a mini exhibition of their works. “You are graduating here today because you have fulfilled the requirements for your certification,” P.S Tucker told the gathering of beaming faces.
The motto for Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training is ‘Creating Opportunities, Realising Potentials’
While Ms. Tucker referred to the non-completion of training by some of the original 258, (who started the course) as unfortunate, she said that too many young people embark very enthusiastically on training in different forms and levels, but somewhere along the journey lose focus, become distracted or fail to exhibit the kind of discipline that is necessary for success. “They give up too easily; they allow the opportunity to develop themselves go by… One of the things you cannot regain or recall is a lost opportunity. Too many youths express regret at not making good use of the opportunities they would have had to develop themselves and today they can make no meaningful contribution to the development of their communities.”
The youths while being celebrated for staying the course were advised that the training they received at the institution has made them marketable and has placed them in a position to practice their craft. They were encouraged to “develop your skills and earn a living for yourselves; support the other members of your family; develop the communities from which you have come, and by extension that of the country. You are now given the opportunity to start from a very humble beginning into something big.”
Many of the existing big businesses started out small in like fashion as those graduating and it was against this backdrop that they were encouraged to “become your own boss providing employment for other young people.”
The graduates were also advised that as a result of the training received they have become sought-after. They were admonished to “go out there and make a name for yourselves. Be ambitious and try to improve on your trade. Be the best cosmetologist; be the best home repairer; be the best data operator; be the best cook. Build a reputation for yourselves.
“When persons want service in your area of competence, you should be the first person they must want to come to because of the quality of work that you produce.”
Ms. Tucker underscored that fact that “the Ministry of Education Department of Culture, Youth and Sport recognises the importance of empowering the youth of this nation, and has therefore been conducting training such as this across the country.”
On Thursday 91 graduated from the Vryman’s Erven Training Center while on Friday 101 graduated from the Sophia Training Centre as did the 223 from the Kuru Kuru Training Center.
The YEST courses offer continuing educational advancement to out-of- school, unskilled and unemployed youth aged 16-25 years drawn from across all ten administrative regions.
As part of the training, all trainees benefited from Educational tours, field trips, sporting activities; participation in national and religious activities, counselling sessions and workshops on the use of illicit drugs.
Some 46 of these trainees are now recipients of Drivers’ licenses, compliments of the Guyana Police Force. (Mondale Smith)
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
Apr 20, 2024
– Elton Dharry and Dexter Marques to headline tonight’s card Kaieteur Sports – The Everest Cricket Club pavilion crackled with tension yesterday as the Guyana Boxing Board hosted its...Kaieteur News – Once a habit has been drilled into you, it returns almost automatically when you return to the setting... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]