Forty-five women from Region Two are set to receive training in cosmetology over the next four months, thanks to a competency-based vocational training program launched by the Office of the First Lady and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) on Thursday.
The program, which aims to empower women through vocational skills, will also provide life skills coaching and micro-enterprise training.
Some participants will benefit from small business grants to start their own businesses at the end of the training.
The women benefiting from the training hail from various villages including Grant Success, Lower Pomeroon; Grant Strong Hope, Lower Pomeroon; Charity; Onderneeming Sand Pit; Johanna Cecilia; Lima Sands; Richmond; Sparta; Aurora; Hampton Court; Henrietta; Mainstay; Coffee Grove; Better Success; Bush Lot; Cotton Field; and Reliance.
In a ceremony held in the boardroom of the Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC), First Lady Arya Ali congratulated the women for seizing the opportunity specifically tailored for them.
She emphasized the recurring nature of cosmetology services, such as haircuts, facials, manicures, and pedicures, which necessitate regular upkeep.
This fosters a loyal customer base and translates into a stable and predictable revenue stream, ensuring sustained business growth for the trainees.
Beyond its economic potential, First Lady Ali highlighted that the training serves as a catalyst for social mobility and equity.
She noted that the skills and opportunities provided would enable the women to start their own small businesses, enhancing their economic independence and contributing to the community’s overall development.
Just two weeks ago, 40 women from Regions Seven and Nine benefitted from a maritime training program through the Office of the First Lady, showcasing the continued efforts to empower women across Guyana through diverse vocational training initiatives.