As housing projects advance in Reg. 3, gov’t could train & employ youth in construction field

President Dr. Irfaan Ali says the government is keen on training young people in communities across Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and then employing them immediately so that they can support the housing and other construction projects there.

He was at the time responding to a request for youth employment initiatives during a walkabout at De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara on Thursday.

“If you have the young people who want to work, let us get their names and if we have to give them a skills development programme, we will give them a skills development programme and then let them come and work,” Dr. Ali said.

According to President Ali, more than 100 construction workers are needed to support the government’s new housing programme there. Earlier in the day, he announced that the government will build 2,000 housing units in the region by next year.

But already, Dr. Ali said some contractors have concerns about labour shortages. This is an issue that is being faced in several other areas because of heightened work programmes.

The Head of State also noted that the government is keen on increasing the local pool of nurses too since these workers are in high demand. In this regard, he noted that the government will fund people’s nursing education and then employ them when they complete their studies.

“We have tremendous opportunities there but we have to make use of the opportunities,” Dr. Ali