The Stichting Arbeidsmobilisatie en Ontwikkeling (SAO) has resumed vocational training courses in Nickerie after an interruption of eighteen months.
The courses each last four months and are paid for entirely by the participants themselves. This distinguishes them from the subsidised vocational training courses also offered by SAO. The twelve ADRON employees are taking courses in refrigeration technology and construction work. The research centre aims to invest in the expertise and employability of its own staff through this initiative.
Government aims to prepare 3,000 people for labour market
Deputy Minister Raj Jadnanansing of Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Arbeid (VWA) (Public Health, Welfare and Labour), who officially launched the courses, stressed the importance of vocationally oriented training for Suriname’s economic development. According to him, the training institutions of the Directoraat Welzijn en Arbeid (Directorate of Welfare and Labour), including SAO, SPWE and SHTTC, must significantly expand their training capacity. Special attention must be paid to vulnerable groups within the workforce.
Jadnanansing has set the goal of preparing approximately 3,000 people for the labour market by the end of 2027. With this, the directorate aims to respond to the expected growth in employment as a result of developments in the oil and gas sector. The deputy minister expects that economic activities surrounding this sector will also create opportunities for workers and small entrepreneurs in other industries.
Companies urged to retrain staff in time
Jadnanansing called on the business community not to rely exclusively on new workers, but also to invest in existing staff. According to him, timely retraining is necessary to prepare workers for the economic developments expected from 2028.
He cited the participation of ADRON in the training courses as an example that other companies and institutions should follow. By teaching staff additional technical skills, businesses can increase their productivity and respond better to changes in the labour market, he said.
In addition to technical training, the directorate also wants to devote more attention to guidance for small entrepreneurship. This should not only give participants opportunities for employment, but also encourage them to independently undertake economic activities.
Vocational training must increase self-reliance
During the meeting, the deputy minister also linked employment, livelihood security and social welfare. According to him, vocational education can help reduce social and psychosocial problems associated with unemployment and financial insecurity.
In that context, he pointed to the importance of the reintroduction of the Crisishelpline 114 and the associated public information activities. Jadnanansing further stated that the number of suicide cases has declined in recent months. No concrete figures substantiating that statement were mentioned in the press release.
SAO returns to Nickerie after a year and a half
SAO director Joyce Lapar expressed satisfaction with the resumption of vocational training courses in Nickerie. According to her, the availability of trainers and instructors who themselves live in the district makes it easier to organise courses locally.
Lapar also stressed that interest from the business community in practically oriented training continues. She sees ADRON’s request to provide further training for twelve employees as an example of cooperation between training institutions and employers.
A representative of the SAO board and a representative of ADRON also addressed the participants. They called on them to commit themselves throughout the full training period and to complete the courses successfully. With the resumption of the vocational courses, SAO aims to once again offer residents of Nickerie the opportunity to develop technical skills and improve their chances on the labour market.
