To help students to build and develop their knowledge and skills and to design and make their own jewellery, the Guyana Mining School is collaborating with the E. R. Burrowes School of Art to offer free training in March.
The offer is in keeping with an agreement which was signed by President Dr Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley in July last year.
During a recent interview with the News Room, the Administrator of the Guyana Mining School, Vaughn Felix said apart from filling the gap in the jewellery sector, the course is aimed at enabling students to create an economic stream for themselves.
“This was a very successful programme for last year which was conceived by the Minister, Vickram Bharrat, this is his brainchild. The course came about after he realise that there is a need to build the capacity in the jewellery sector because there was a gap,” Felix said.
In 2022, a total of 30 persons participated in the training.
According to Felix while the main target is goldsmiths, unskilled persons with an interest in joining the jewellery industry is urged to take advantage of the opportunity.
Persons will be trained in stone setting, basic filigree and setting techniques. The course also enables students to develop practical and theoretical skills in jewellery making.
Applications open on Monday and the course is expected to commence on March 20. Classes are to be held from Monday to Thursday, three hours daily. The course will run for 12 weeks.