US$1.2M Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre commissioned in Reg. Three

The US$1.2M Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre was commissioned on Wednesday by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand. [Photo: Ministry of Education/ October 09, 2024]

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand commissioned the newly rehabilitated Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) on Wednesday.

In a press release, the Ministry said that the state-of-the-art facility, which cost US$1,214,907.42, will benefit 400 students and is poised to enhance technical and vocational training in the region.

The total cost includes expenses for infrastructure development, tools, and equipment, as well as ICT equipment and furnishing.

Speaking at the event, Minister Manickchand emphasised that the commissioning of the Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre aligns with the Ministry of Education’s goals of producing highly skilled students.

“This centre plays a crucial role in the Government of Guyana’s vision to create educational opportunities that allow every child to have a bright future in the new Guyana we are building out,” the Minister said.

She encouraged the students to fully utilise the centre’s resources and urged them to pursue the skills and training offered to ensure their success in the evolving job market.

The Fellowship Practical Instruction Centre is one of several facilities being upgraded under the Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project (GSDEP), funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

Through this project, Practical Instruction Centres (PICs) in Regions Three, Four, and Five, as well as Practical Instruction Departments (PIDs) in hinterland secondary schools, are being refurbished and expanded to support technical vocational education and training (TVET) across the country.

The centre offers training in various fields, including electrical work, woodworking, and food and nutrition.

It aims to provide students with the competencies needed to earn Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) certifications.

This will enable students to enter the job market confidently, establish their own economic enterprises, or pursue further post-secondary and tertiary education.

Deputy Chief Education Officer-Technical, Dr. Ritesh Tularam, highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening TVET throughout the country, noting that the Government continues to foster partnerships with key funding agencies, such as the CDB.