Ministry seeking Caricom recognition for youth skills training programme
Sunday, October 21st 2007
Stabroek News, Guyana
Fifty-eight youths last week completed a six-month Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training Programme which will equip them with the skills to seek employment, create their own businesses and pursue further studies in their desired fields.
The programme, a Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport initiative, was hosted at the Sophia Training Centre and offered a roster of courses including Catering, Office Administration and Information Technology, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Welding and Fabrication and Handicraft. It targets school dropouts and those who did not do well at school. The programme offers participants a second chance at progressing in life.
The event was the fifteenth graduation ceremony at the centre. Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, in his feature address said experts have called the period of youth the “transition from adolescence to economic independence.” He said this period is encumbered by much vulnerability and about 80% of young people would pass through with varying degrees of success while the remainders fail. “This 20% which makes up the poor and more vulnerable youth [who] very often have dropped out of school,” once they have flunked the system are offered few if any opportunities for remedial education Anthony said.
Because of their situation these youths are often condemned and victimized because society is reluctant to recognize them and put mitigation measures in place to address their needs. The minister said the government recognises that not all youths learn the same way and that though many students would excel academically provision must be made for those who need an alternative path. “Our modest programme at Sophia is one such programme that is intended to assist vulnerable young people and giving them the requisite skills to be employable,” he said.
Anthony said the job market should be constantly reviewed and flexible training modules developed to assist this category of youth. Further, he said, though there are a few problems with the programme, it is emerging as a model in the Caribbean and already some countries have made requests to visit and study our model. With assistance from the United Nations Children’s Fund, Anthony said the ministry will be working to expand the programme to New Amsterdam by the end of November so that more youths can have access. “We would also be working with the Ministry of Education and Caricom to ensure that future students from our programme are accredited through the Caricom Vocational Qualification Scheme,” he said. Anthony explained that the new system would be similar to the Caribbean Examinations Council exams so that all persons who have done vocational skills training can be accredited. He added that with the “right attitude and support we will be going places with the training.”
Anthony told the audience that this batch of students was also equipped with knowledge about HIV/AIDS and substance abuse. In his charge to the students he said “We have given you an opportunity…given you a second chance. Don’t take it for granted. Do us proud, not only yourselves but your parents as well.” The minister also encouraged the group to return to the centre in their free time and share their experiences with the news students.
In April this year 97 vulnerable and unemployed youth applied for the programme and 73 were accepted. During the course 19 of them dropped out. Dennis Gillis, the senior training officer, in giving a review of the course said the youth who registered for the programme were unemployed and wanted to learn a trade. He said 35 men and 38 women registered for the course. Gillis said the Centre also accepted eight youths from the Sophia area on a part time basis and one withdrew. He said many participants withdraw due to financial difficulties, reluctance to adhere to the code of conduct and peer pressure.
Gillis also said the students are taught both practical and theory sessions. They were also sent on work attachments at organizations in the public and private sector. He said the students were assessed based on their performance at monthly tests, final exams and consistency during the practical sessions. For the next batch, he said, the Centre plans to form a committee to monitor the behaviour of the peers, design and adopt a flag, focus on entrepreneurship and establish a masonry class.
Sonia Schwartz was adjudged the best graduating trainee in the Catering class, Estrilita Henry, Office Administration and IT; Darren Adams, air conditioning; Dwain David, Welding and Fabrication and Phiyon Johnson, Handicraft. The students said they were elated by their accomplishments: Tracey Richard, a 15-year-old graduate of the Handicraft course said that it feels good to have completed the programme. She said that she had stopped school and her mother encouraged her to join the programme. Tameshwar Lakhram, a graduate of the Refrigeration and AC course said that he registered for the course because he didn’t do well at CXC and could not get a job with the grades he obtained. Lakhram is 17-years-old.
Another student, Keon Boyce was adjudged the runner up in the Handicraft course. He said he chose that subject because it was easy and he loves making craft items with his hands. Boyce said he enjoyed every minute of the course and although he does not foresee a career in handicraft, if at any time he should need money he can utilise this skill to make items for sale. The young man said he enjoyed making straw bags most of all. (Zoisa Fraser)