In Region 10 (Upper Demerara–Berbice), the Government of Guyana has fulfilled its promise to expand economic opportunity by investing heavily in the skills development of youth. Since 2020, over 6,000 young people in Linden have enrolled in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs coordinated by the Ministry of Education’s TVET Department and delivered through institutions such as the Linden Technical Institute (LTI). According to the Ministry of Labour’s Annual TVET & Skills Training Report 2024, these efforts have significantly boosted employment prospects for the region’s youth (Ministry of Labour, 2024).
The training programs offer practical skills in welding, electrical installation, heavy equipment operation, garment construction, and information technology, all aligned with industry needs. The Ministry of Education’s TVET Regional Training Brief 2023 reports a 40% increase in TVET participation in Region 10 over the past three years, noting particularly strong growth in female enrollment—an important milestone for gender inclusion (Ministry of Education, 2023).
Supporting this expansion, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) has deployed mobile training units to remote communities within Region 10, ensuring equitable access. BIT’s Training Completion and Employment Data 2024 highlights that over 2,000 trainees have successfully entered full-time employment, apprenticeships, or launched small businesses, contributing to the local economy (BIT, 2024).
These initiatives reflect the objectives set out in the Government of Guyana’s Human Capital Development Strategy 2021–2025, which emphasizes decentralizing education and building human capital across all regions. The Guyanese President has reiterated this focus in national addresses, underscoring that empowering youth through skills training is central to the country’s economic transformation (Government of Guyana, 2021).
For the young people of Linden and surrounding areas, these programs mean more than just certificates—they mean real, sustainable career paths. This progress, documented through reports from the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Education, and BIT, exemplifies the tangible benefits of government-led investment in skills development. This is what real progress looks like.
