250 women begin non-traditional skills training programme
by Stacey Davidson
TWO Hundred and fifty women will be trained over the next six months in technical and non-technical skills to empower them to lead better lives.
The training programme, which features non-traditional skills is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and executed by the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE).
It will provide courses in construction, woodworking and furniture making, automotive services, industrial maintenance, gender training and numeracy and literacy skills. The programme was launched Wednesday by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Indra Chandarpal, at the Main Street Plaza.
According to Minister Chandarpal, Guyana is moving in a direction where the training of women in skills once considered male fields is now accepted in society.
"Training women in non-traditional skills is quite a challenge and one that is vested with prejudices for both men and women alike," Ms Chandarpal stated.
"Many of us in our daily lives may feel these prejudices from time to time, some of which have a lasting effect on us, while others could be considered to be just superficial.
"Nonetheless, we cannot allow these ingrains of customary or traditional attitudes and prejudices from preventing women from grasping the opportunities now available to them to access non-traditional educational programmes," she declared.
The programme, Chandarpal explained, is geared towards equipping low income women to enter the changing democratised labour market through the attribution of skills which are required to meet the needs of the changing social and economic situation of the country.
Minister Chandarpal referred to a research study conducted sometime ago at some technical and vocational institutions. The study revealed that much work has been done to train an acceptable cadre of women for jobs which were once considered male-oriented.
From 1998 to 1999, 119 males and 11 females enrolled at the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) which offered courses in agriculture mechanics, carpentry, electricity, fittings and machinery, masonry, plumbing and welding. The women pursued training in five areas, and none in carpentry, fittings or machinery.
At the Government Technical Institute (GTI), between 1988 and 1999, 384 males, and 122 females registered for the 27 courses offered, two of which were traditional and 25 non-traditional. Seventy-six out of 122 women registered for the two traditional courses and 46 for the non-traditional.
"In assessing the two sets of data, it is evident that women are changing the stereotype which has permeated our society for a very long time," the Minister said.
"We might not be satisfied with the changes taking place in society, but clearly it is evident that programmes such as these which will accelerate the pace of development in these areas are indeed very welcome," the Minister pointed out.
She said the courses offered are very relevant to the reality of what is currently taking place in Guyana especially in the construction industry.
"With more housing development, more jobs will become available for those persons who possess the required skills."
Minister Chandarpal added that training is an investment for the future development of the individual woman and also the development of their communities.
She urged the participants to develop a sense of pride and dignity, to be proud of the skills acquired and be prepare to work to the best of their abilities.
The Minister also challenged the women to commit themselves to high standards of performance in whatever job they undertake, to create the work environment that is suitable to them, and others would follow in their path.
Minister Chandarpal also advised the women to demonstrate that they possess the capacity to succeed by making full use of the training.
Inter-American Development Bank representative, Ms Donna Harris, in brief remarks said this project has been a long haul, and should not be viewed as being only for women, but to improve the skills of the labour force and increase the availability of skills in the labour movement in Guyana.
She also urged the private sector to assist in this process by providing jobs for the women.
Similar programmes are also being held in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Belize, Ms Harris said.
The executing agency in Jamaica is the" Heart Trust"; in Belize, the" Centre for Employment and Training"; and in Trinidad and Tobago, the" Ministry of Culture and Gender Affairs".
In each country, a support institution has been contracted to assist in the implementation of the project; in Guyana it is the" Red Thread Women's Organisation";" The Women's Construction Collective" in Jamaica; the "Organisation for Women and Development" in Belize (BOWAND) and the" Women's Resource and Research Centre" in Trinidad and Tobago.
These organisations were selected on the basis of their proven track records in technical and vocational training for women and innovative work-study programmes. 2) Vice Chancellor (Acting) of the University of Guyana (UG), Dr James Rose addressing the participants. At the head table from left are: Mr George Jardim, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC); Mrs Indra Chandarpal, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Mr Samuel Small, Director of IDCE; and Dr Jennifer Cadogan, Regional Project Director of the programme. (Picture by Mike Norville)
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