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Over 3,500 Guyanese across the country are set to benefit from technical and vocational training from this year, through the Ministry of Labour – Board of Industrial Training (BIT).
Minister, Joseph Hamilton, made this statement during his contribution to the Budget Debate at the 20th Sitting of the Twelfth Parliament.
He said the ministry has already appointed BIT officers to every region, who would be working with residents to craft training programmes, based on the needs of their respective communities. “The Board of Industrial Training was not utilised the way the law said it was to be utilised. It was more designed to service Region Four and Georgetown. Today, the BIT and its programmes will be expanded to every Region throughout the length and breadth of Guyana never before this has happened.”
Minister Hamilton said engagements were held with the Ministries of Human Services and Social Security and Culture, Youth and Sport, to ensure these training programmes reach the most vulnerable groups, as well as youth. Concerning employment, he reminded the House of the role of the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA), which is tasked with examining and contributing to the nation’s social development, as well as providing effective and efficient employment services to job seekers and employers. The Labour Minister said efforts are being made to revive the CRMA, and this year, the focus is on improving the academic qualification and skills of job seekers.
While endorsing Budget 2021, Minister Hamilton said Labour and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) matters are at the forefront of the PPP/C Administration’s ‘Plan for Prosperity’. “We recognise the importance of the safety of our people,” he said.
Already, the number of Labour Officers has been increased from 16 to 26, while OSH officers have been increased from nine to 30. The Ministry is also reviewing the OSH guidelines to cater for the petroleum sector. The Labour and OSH Officers will also be trained in Mandarin and Portuguese to ensure effective engagements with the workforce. Meanwhile, Government MP, Hon. Sanjeev Datadin, during his presentation, also endorsed Budget 2021. He said the provisions would put Guyana on a path of economic and social development which is needed after five years of APNU+AFC governance. (DPI)
