By Delicia Janneire
The Ministry of Natural Resources continues its commitment to enhancing the jewellery making sector by graduating a new batch of students from the Guyana Mining School’s jewellery making courses.
Today, 34 students completed their training in both introductory and intermediate jewellery making courses.
Among them were 19 individuals from the introductory course and 15 from the intermediate level.
Notably, 10 of the introductory course graduates hailed from hinterland regions.
As part of the programme, nine graduates were selected for apprenticeships with private sector businesses, including Kings Jewellery World and Jacobs’ Jewellery.
The proprietors of these companies expressed their support for the training initiative and outlined how other businesses could contribute to the development of skilled jewellers in the industry.
According to Looknauht Persaud, proprietor of King’s Jewellery, there is a noticeable demand for skilled jewellers, and the formal training provided by the Guyana Mining School offers a valuable foundation for developing high-quality artisans.
He noted that the experience of working with leading jewellers would provide the apprentices with insights into the industry’s standards and practices.
Stephen Jacobs, proprietor of Jacob’s Jewellery, also highlighted the importance of structured training programmes.
He expressed enthusiasm about integrating trained individuals into the workforce and emphasized the exceptional nature of formal jewellery training.
The graduates were addressed by representatives from the Guyana Mining School and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), who emphasized the significance of their new skills.
Newell Dennison, Commissioner at GGMC, encouraged the graduates to view their apprenticeship as an opportunity for personal growth and continuous development in the art of jewellery making.
The three-month training programme covered fundamental skills including drawing, wiring, filing, sanding, and working with precious stones and metals.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to rekindle interest in traditional jewellery making skills among younger generations, with over 200 participants having benefited from the courses at various levels.