With sparks flying and dreams ignited, 20 young and determined individuals have proudly graduated from the Level 2 City and Guilds Welding Programme — an initiative transforming lives and careers across Guyana.
The programme is offered through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) in collaboration with Nations Inc.
More than just technical training, it is creating new opportunities, empowerment, and pathways, especially for those breaking into non-traditional fields.
After completing Level 1 earlier this year, one of the graduates, Orpha Hope, returned with even more determination to master Level 2.
She is now internationally certified, as the programme also aims to equip women with marketable skills in male-dominated industries such as welding.
“I’m back because I like the challenge and also I really like what the government is doing. The teachers, trainers really pay attention to what you’re doing and making sure that you actually get it done,” she noted.
Hope also shared some advice with young people:
“Think of the opportunity that is available, because there is time that you would need to do something for yourself and not be dependent on anybody. So it’s better to learn a skill so you can help yourself,” she advised.
Also graduating was Raule Chapman, a focused and driven participant who noted that he was happy to expand his knowledge in welding.
“I always know to weld but I never had a certificate. I heard about this programme and I came and joined it – where I did level 1 and I did well, and I graduated. I have a level 1 certificate and now I will be obtaining a level 2 certificate. Hopefully in the future I will be obtaining a level 3 certificate,” he said.
The graduation ceremony was held at the Nations School of Technology Training Centre at North Road, Georgetown, where Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, presented the certificates.
She praised the graduates for their dedication and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing free, accessible vocational training through WIIN.
The Level 2 training builds on the foundation laid by Level 1 and now arms participants with internationally recognised certification, increasing their employability both locally and abroad.
