Minister Hamilton interacting with residents of Kato, Region Eight.
The Ministry of Labour, Board of Industrial Training on Monday, August 23rd -25th, 2021, visited Kato, Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight) to introduce the delivery of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes and assess existing coop bodies, with the intention to promote capacity building and human development for the residents of Kato, Kurukabaru and Paramakatoi, among other satellite villages in the region.
On day one of the visit, Minister of Labour, Hon. Joseph Hamilton met with Toshao of Kato, Mr. Elvan James, Deputy Regional Executive Office, Mr. Luis Kilkenny, among other officials to discuss the training gaps within the villages. Coming out of the engagement the decision was made by the minister to appoint a BIT, Technical Officer who will work to effectively deliver future programmes, requested by the residents, such as, Garment Construction, Commercial Food Preparation and Small Engine Repairs.
According to the minister, Training Co-ordinator, Mr. Jermain Geness, who is assigned and stationed in Mahdia by BIT to ensure the proper delivery of programmes, will soon be given the position of Region Eight, Technical Officer, since he possesses the requisite knowledge and skills to ensure the ministry and BIT mandate are delivered. On day two, the minister and team travelled by road for approximately two hours to Kurukabaru. There he met with the Toshao and residents who shared the same interest as residents of Kato, requesting TVET programmes for the development of their village.
Other matters addressed on the trip by the minister were plans to locate a building to conduct training and house trainers in the region, revitalizing and registering new coops within the farming and logging sectors in the region, with the intention to ensure benefits goes towards the development of the people. Before the minister departed region eight, neighboring residents in Paramakatoi village, did not miss out on the opportunity to raise a number of concerns to the minister.
Paramakatoi village practice medium and large-scale farming, sewing, tourism and agro-processing for the sustenance of their livelihood. However, after hearing this the minister told the residents that measures will be put in place to provide training through BIT, so that they can reap the benefit of their labour, through the delivery of entrepreneurial skills, which will economically develop the village.
Those who accompanied the minister on his first time visit to region eight, were Chief Coop Officer, Debbie Persaud, Compliance Officer, Ms. Ann- Abigail Arthur, Training Co-ordinator, Mr. Jermain Geness, Technical Officer, Mr. Jason Clarke, Confidential Secretary, Ms. Shannon Ramnarine and Public Relations Officers within the Ministry of Labour, Ms. Ayana George and Ms. Sueann Wickham.
(Board of Industrial Training, Public Relations Department).