PPP/C DELIVERING ON ‘PLAN FOR PROSPERITY’ Persons encouraged to sign up for 150k coders initiative

Registration is ongoing for Guyanese across the country to be equipped and trained as computer programmers, software developers, among other skillsets as part of the 150k Guyana Coders Initiative (GCI).

For the next three years, 150,000 Guyanese 14 years and older will receive free instruction in the fundamentals of computer coding as part of this initiative.

This aligns with government’s transformative plans to make Guyana a centre for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) which will ultimately transform the nation into a hub for data services, data centres, and data banks.

This initiative was launched by President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali in December 2022. It is a partnership between government and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This strengthens the existing commerce and technological advance- ment ties that exist between the two nations.

Following a number of meetings, workshops, and high-level field visits with leaders of both countries, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in March 2022.

During the launch, President Ali highlighted that this initiative will position Guyana as a key player in the global technology market. “Today is important, it is about what Guyana 2030

Gov’t continues to focus heavily on its apprenticeship programme

Government continues to focus heavily on developing its apprenticeship programme to meet the demands of the expanding oil and gas and other sectors.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton recently noted that government continues to work assiduously to upskill the nation’s human resources to meet these demands.

Last year, approximately 173 apprentices were placed at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

Back in January, BIT granted licenses as master apprenticeship centres to the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation and Guyanese Manganese Incorporated.

Minister Hamilton underlined, “And we are working with more to make apprenticeship masters. We are discussing with many other companies, the oil and gas companies. Welding in oil and gas is more elevated than the ordinary welding, you will train people for them to gain that type of experience and develop themselves. We are already having conversations with them about placing persons there as apprentices at the facilities.”

This will help the persons to develop the requisite skills to participate in the oil and gas industry. To this end, persons can register on the job bank’s website and upload their certificates.

Many persons already have been able to access jobs via the job board.

Minister Hamilton highlighted that, for the first time in the history of Guyana, BIT will be establishing and constructing training facilities.

Several training centres will be constructed and rehabilitated with all of the technical capabilities this year. A training centre will be constructed in New Amsterdam and Corriverton in Region Six, while a massive facility will be constructed in Bartica.

“We have an idea to utilise a building that we refurbished in Unity. The idea is for people who already have a skill, we will upskill them for them to be certified and accredited,” the labour minister explained.

Technical officers of BIT are assigned to each region to facilitate, coordinate and col- laborate with various groups that make requests for training programmes to be conducted in their communities. There are three technical officers in Region Nine to service the region due to the size of the region, while two officers are assigned to Region Six.

Labour officers and other officers are available in every region with the exception of Region Eight.

Minister Hamilton added, “We have training being done with Amerindian village councils and municipal councils. We do not go into communities and try to make wheels because they have wheels already exist there. And we utilise them and whatever facility exists.”

The ministry also collaborates with churches across the country for training to be done.

BIT continues to ensure Guyanese in every region are provided with the necessary support to be employed or become entrepreneurs.

The technical and vocational training programmes are tailored to accommodate the demands for skills in various sectors.

$120M Enmore road completed

The completion of the $120 million road at the old Enmore Railway Embankment marks a significant achievement under the Miscellaneous Road Programme.

The road, which was constructed by contractor K.P. Jagdeo, is a testament to the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and providing better access to transportation for the people of Guyana.

It is also a reflection of the government’s commitment to creating jobs and stimulating economic growth through public projects. The road project provided employment opportunities for local workers, and the injection of funds into the local economy will provide a boost for local businesses.

The road measures 1.5 kilometres in length and 4.27 metres in width. It is designed to provide a smooth and comfortable ride for drivers and passengers alike. The road is also expected to reduce travel time for commuters in the area and improve access to markets, schools, and other essential services.

However, the road project was not without its chal- will be and must be. The next eight years are very important years for Guyana, we are starting way behind the race, and if we are to adjust ourselves in this race in a straight-line manner, we will be way behind for decades to come…This step is about you taking our country forward in 2030 and beyond, ensuring that you are competitive, resilient, functional… ensuring that we as a country have the tools that will take us forward, and our economy is among the strongest,” he had said. In addition, the president declared that Guyana would be prepared to serve as a centre where members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) could gain from the initiative in the future.

Coding, also referred to as computer programming, is the process of carrying out a certain computation, typically through creating a functional computer programme.

This initiative aims to teach Guyanese the necessary skills to work as IT technicians, systems administrators, cyber security analysts, and other related positions which include animation, website creation, and software engineering.

A certificate will be issued upon completion of the programme and will be recognised by the UAE. lenges. The contractor faced setbacks due to a shipment of geo fabric, which caused a delay in the project’s completion. Despite this setback, the government and contractor worked together to overcome the challenges and ensure the timely completion of the project.

Upon completion of the programmes, top students can get scholarships for internationally recognised training programmes.

The chance to compete in regional and national coding competitions will be available to students. Top performers will also receive cash awards.

Students can register to study the course of their choosing at no cost and take online classes to earn a professional software development certification.

Persons can visit www. guyanacoders.gov.gy/ to enroll.

Meanwhile, the government is working to expand the East Coast Demerara (ECD) railway embankment into a new four-lane highway and in just over two years’ time, commuters can expect further relief to the ongoing traffic congestion.

$40M short of it! No one knows where this land exists. Nobody that was there, no member so far, no officer knows. I have been asking for somebody to take me to the land and that has not happened so there is no land you have $40 million of the people’s money that was transferred to the Lands and Surveys.”

According to him. The Credit Union’s Interim Management Committee has since requested a refund, but the Committee was advised that such an