Scotiabank partners with Habitat for Humanity on youth training programme

Scotiabank, in a press release said it has donated $3,875,000 towards a youth-focused skills training programme, Construction Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Training, facilitated by Habitat for Humanity for persons ages 16-30 years.

The training programme commenced on February 3, 2024.

According to the release, Jennifer Massiah, National Director Habitat for Humanity (Trinidad and Tobago) said, “We firmly believe that for real transformation to take place, focus must be on youth development. Guyana has been experiencing a rapid rate of expansion of the construction industry in recent years. This, paired with the need for the advancement in skills of those who service this industry, provided a great opportunity for empowering the youth to contribute to this industry and national development. The youth and young adults with minimum construction skills will be building their capacity through a very intensive construction technology course, which also adds to community empowerment. We are honoured to partner with Scotiabank to deliver this training programme to the youth of Guyana.”

Scotiabank Guyana Country Manager Nafeeza Gaffoor commented, “Scotiabank believes in investing in the youth of Guyana. With this programme, there will be an increased number of persons, in particular youth, with the technical know-how to engage in resilient construction practices, further supporting their employability and financial independence….Through our partnership with Habitat for Humanity, we are seeking to increase the economic resilience of our country’s youth, so that they can get on, stay on or rise-up the economic ladder to better futures” Gaffoor said.

The release said that the Construction Technology Training (CTT) course, offered free of charge to participants, is structured to address existing knowledge gaps within the industry, in particular resilient building methodologies.

The release also noted that the course will introduce participants to important theoretical aspects of construction, covering such aspects as understanding structural and architectural drawings, health and safety, concrete technology, foundations and walls. The practical aspects of the course aims to develop dexterity through on-site sessions, where participants physically engage in core construction areas of building set out, block laying, plastering and wooden roof construction, giving each participant an immersive experience in the field of construction. The Disaster Risk Reduction Training, Scotiabank’s release said, is aimed at increasing the knowledge and awareness of disasters, the importance of preparedness and the role it plays in the preservation of life and property in the event of a disaster.