By Delicia Janneire | November 13, 2024
Thirteen women are set to graduate with Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) certificates in Mineral Prospecting and Map Reading, Level One, after completing a groundbreaking training program aimed at bridging the gender gap in Guyana’s mining sector.
The program, which began in August, is set to conclude by the end of November, offering the women skills that will benefit them greatly in the male-dominated industry.
The course, facilitated at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Bartica Training Centre, is the first of its kind, specifically tailored for women.
The participants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to take part in a free program that provides them with crucial knowledge and skills in mineral prospecting and map reading.
The training, which is being executed in collaboration with Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE), College and Institutes Canada (CICan), Conservation International Guyana (CI), Guyana Women Miners Organization (GWMO), the Guyana Mining School, and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, is designed to help empower women in the mining industry and offer them more career opportunities.
Upon completion, the participants will receive an NVQ certificate, which is recognized not only in Guyana but in other countries as well, enhancing their ability to pursue mining-related opportunities abroad.
This initiative is seen as a significant step toward integrating more women into the mining sector, with plans to expand such training programs to include more women in the future.
The training course is also helping to promote gender equality in a sector where women have traditionally been underrepresented.
The women, including participants Martina Ambrose-Jhingoree, Mezona Calistro, Akesiah Aaron, and Orinella Fredricks, shared their excitement about the new skills they’ve gained and the opportunities the course will open for them, both locally and internationally.
Training Officer Tracy Lall highlighted the importance of initiatives like these, noting that they aim to balance the workforce in the mining industry and encourage more female participation.
Derrick Babb, Chief Instructor at the Guyana Mining School, also expressed hope for more programs that would integrate women into the mining sector.
This milestone training program is part of ongoing efforts to improve gender inclusivity in Guyana’s mining industry and create new pathways for women’s empowerment.