The Ministry of Finance revealed over the weekend that 292 Heavy Duty Equipment Operator (HDEO) trainees graduated in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). The ceremony marked the culmination of a three-month training programme that saw 247 males and 45 females successfully completing the course, underscoring the government’s commitment to fulfilling its manifesto promise of creating more jobs and providing vocational skills to the nation’s workforce.
The HDEO programme, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Finance’s Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) and the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT), offered practical training in operating various heavy-duty machinery, including tractors, excavators, skidsteers, and forklifts. Upon completion, the trainees were certified as Heavy-Duty Equipment Operators, making them eligible for public and private sector employment in a country that is rapidly developing.
Speaking at the ceremony, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, congratulated the graduates and emphasized the growing demand for skilled workers as Guyana’s economy continues to expand at an unprecedented rate. “You now have a skill to be able to take advantage of that opportunity to apply your skill, to earn an income, to save up a bit and maybe potentially at some point you can set up your own business,” Dr. Singh told the graduates.
He further highlighted the impressive graduation rates across the three areas where the programme was conducted: New Amsterdam, Central Corentyne, and Upper Corentyne. Out of a total of 292 trainees, 108 graduated in New Amsterdam, 89 in Central Corentyne, and 95 in Upper Corentyne, with a notable inclusion of 45 women among the graduates.
Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, also addressed the ceremony, reiterating the government’s commitment to the training and development of young people across all regions. He emphasized that the government, through the BIT, has been actively engaged in offering various training programs, not just in heavy-duty machinery operation but also in other essential fields to enhance employability and meet the country’s growing labor demands.
Since its return to office in August 2020, the government has created approximately 60,000 new jobs, surpassing its manifesto promise of 50,000 jobs. This achievement comes as the nation experiences a booming economy, with labor shortages becoming increasingly apparent. To address this, the government continues to partner with the private sector, other agencies, and training institutions to equip the workforce with the necessary skills to support the country’s rapid development.
