Two graduates of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) are putting their newly acquired skills to use, with one establishing a welding workshop in Region Two and the other securing tractor-driving jobs in Region One.
According to a Department of Public Information release, Eshwar Deodat, 30, opened his welding and fabrication workshop approximately one month after completing a six-month BIT course in 2025.
Deodat, a former student of the Essequibo Technical Institute, said the programme strengthened his basic welding skills and provided the practical knowledge needed to work independently.
“The training was nice,” he said.
He has since been using social media to advertise his work and attract customers.
“Financially, it works…the more people get to know you, the more customers you get,” Deodat said.
Although finding additional workers has been challenging, he intends to expand the business and eventually train someone to work alongside him.
Deodat encouraged young people, particularly those who left secondary school without qualifications, to take advantage of skills-training opportunities.
“Go there and do what you have to do. Don’t watch for money. Just learn and get training. When you finish, then you will see the outcome,” he advised.
Meanwhile, Ellena Williams, 35, of Moruca, Region One, has been earning an income from tractor-driving jobs after completing a six-month BIT programme.
The mother of five said learning to operate the tractor was difficult, particularly when reversing, but she persevered.
“Yes, it was hard,” Williams recalled. “Driving it slow, the reversing part was more difficult for me, but I overcame it.”
Williams said the training gave her another means of supporting her family and she encouraged others to pursue similar opportunities.
BIT offers practical training in a range of trades intended to improve participants’ prospects for employment and self-employment.
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