On Saturday, November 12, 2022, The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) was delighted to be a part of the graduation ceremony held for 14 youth, one of whom was a young woman, who successfully completed ‘Basic Electrical Training’ with the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

At the ceremony Secretary of the GCCI, Ms. Shaleeza Shaw recounted that in April of this year the Chamber signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the GPF to collaborate on not only crime-fighting strategies but also training and development of the Force’s staff. In her remarks, she noted that the ceremony represented the first manifestation of this collaboration.

Spearheading the training initiative was GCCI Council Member and Chair of its Construction and HSSE Committee, Mr. Keon Howard. Mr. Howard’s company, Guyana Electric, conducted a 4-month long training programme with the youths; three (3) of which were spent in the classroom and one (1) in the fields.

The youths were trained in ‘Basic Electrical Principles’ and covered the following topics: Basic Electrical Principles, Ohm’s Law, Electrical Circuits, AC Supplies Single Phase, Transformers, Electrical test equipment, Electrical Symbols, Electrical Safety, Ladder Safety, Hazard Prevention, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Fall Hazards, Portable Ladders, Guardrails, and Safety Nets.

Mr. Howard emphasized his passion for this area of business, for which he is academically qualified, and his joy in giving back by aiding the training of youth so that they can develop worthwhile skills that will be life-serving.

The Chamber’s Secretary in her remarks mentioned that with the recognition of the lack of an adequate labour force as well as unskilled human resources in Guyana’s catapulting economy, this initiative was timely in building capacity that is much needed and will be easily absorbed.

The Head of the GPF’s Community Relations Department, Ms. Cristal Robinson, thanked the Chamber for this collaborative effort and added that she looks forward to many more. She went on to challenge Ms. Shaw to develop a 2-3 days seminar aimed at empowering the women of the Guyana Police Force.