A total of 613 persons from Regions Three and Four graduated on Wednesday from the Board of Industrial Training’s (BIT) Skills Training Programme at the National Cultural Centre.
Delivering the feature address, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, urged the graduands to reflect on the opportunities before them and position themselves to take advantage of a rapidly expanding job market.
He told the graduates they are entering an economy where job creation is outpacing labour supply, noting that they have been equipped with skills and certification that are in high demand.
“As you graduate today, the jobs are being created more rapidly than we can even fill them… you persevered and completed your training programmes, but the journey does not end here… you are now embarking on the world of work,” Dr Singh said, encouraging them to demonstrate commitment and excellence.
The minister added that each graduate has the capacity to succeed and urged them to capitalise on opportunities available in Guyana’s evolving economy.
He noted that the Ministry of Labour’s manpower programmes have been expanded in response to structural changes in the labour market, with new industries creating demand for new skills.
Dr Singh said the economy has grown at an average rate of more than 36 per cent annually over the past five years, while the non-oil sector expanded by an average of 11 per cent.
He added that more than 104,000 jobs were created during President Irfaan Ali’s first term, reflecting what he described as “real economic growth” that translates into opportunities for citizens.
Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton also addressed the ceremony and congratulated the graduates, while honouring several individuals for their contributions to BIT, including former ministers Joseph Hamilton and Dr Nanda Gopaul, and Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir.
Former BIT Chairman David Armogan and current Chairperson Kathy Smith were also recognised, with Smith noted as the first woman to hold the position.
In her remarks, Smith encouraged graduates to strive for success, noting that Guyana’s labour force needs their skills. She reflected on her own journey from working with BIT to establishing her own business.
The graduates were trained in areas including heavy-duty equipment operation, electrical installation, welding and fabrication, commercial food preparation, information technology, plumbing, and garment construction.
