GITC students being trained to turn skills into startups

A total of 30 students at the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) have begun a specialised course focused on turning their technical skills into viable business startups. The initiative, launched on Tuesday at the Woolford Avenue facility, is a joint venture between the Ministry of Education and the Small Business Bureau (SBB).

It is designed to empower Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students to bridge the gap between being skilled tradespeople and becoming thriving business owners.

Upon the successful completion of this business development course, participants will be awarded Small Business Bureau certification. Eligible applicants will then have the opportunity to apply for grant support of up to GYD$400,000 to establish or advance their ventures. This financial and educational framework is intended to move students beyond simple skills acquisition and into the realms of business ownership and job creation.

During the launch, Deputy Chief Education Officer with responsibility for TVET, Dr Ritesh Tularam, emphasised that entrepreneurship is a primary driving force behind national progress. “It transforms ideas into reality, creates jobs, and ensures that both our human and material resources are used to their fullest potential to shape the future of our economy,” Dr Tularam stated. He noted that the programme helps individuals build the confidence and independence needed to transform practical ideas into productive ventures.

Under the National TVET Policy 2025-2035, Guyana is currently aligning vocational training with high-growth sectors such as oil and gas, climate-resilient agriculture, hospitality, and digital technology. While this first cohort begins at GITC, the programme is slated to reach a wider network of institutions, including the University of Guyana, the Board of Industrial Training, and various technical institutes in Essequibo, New Amsterdam, Linden, and Leonora.

By combining technical expertise with entrepreneurship training, the Ministry of Education and the SBB are expanding professional opportunities for young people. Dr Tularam concluded that the initiative is about more than business, noting, “By fostering self-reliance and the confidence to take risks, we are helping our students turn their passions into productive ventures that improve the standard of living for all Guyanese.” The programme will eventually include the Mahaicony and Upper Corentyne Technical Institutes, the Carnegie School of Home Economics, and the Guyana School of Agriculture, ensuring a national, long-term impact for TVET students.