APPRENTICE Class notes

MY APPRENTICESHIP | By Selwin Collier | 2005 Entry | Blairmont
"With Skill And Confidence", this motto has been a part of the Port Mourant Training Centre, for the last fifty years and will be a part of this wonderful institution for many years to come. This motto simply portrays the qualities looked for in an apprentice. It is an honour to be an apprentice because of the numbers of opportunities and exposures
that are presented to the apprentice.
The fact of living with people whom you do not know, getting to know their lifestyle, being au-fait with their different cultures and religious beliefs of individuals, are all qualities that make an apprentice a well rounded individual. Having an institution that invests in apprentice training and affords them good food, clothing, shelter and a significant stipend every week, to cover our minor expenses makes being an apprentice at PMTC superior to that any other technical institutions in Guyana. Joining the Apprenticeship Scheme gives one the opportunity of doing things that they thought they could have never done, it also gives them a chance to tap into their wildest imagination and express themselves in ways they had never contemplated possible. Being an for me, apprentice is also a big stepping stone for any individual, no matter your background, going out into the world of work is straightforward because training school prepares you to know how to deal with the attitudes and behavioural patterns of a wide cross section of people. This is so because as an apprentice you get many opportunities to deal with individuals who came from the different walks of life. One of the most fascinating thing about being an apprentice also is that it shapes you to be the person who you ought to be. It may be a no nonsense person or a person with good leadership qualities or an individual of ethical qualities, the apprenticeship makes you who you are, that is a person who inspires other to be the best that they can be.
Much is said about how the apprenticeship influences an individual's attitude, lifestyle and behavioural pattern. I think that the hardest part if being a part of the apprenticeship is to go through the process that it takes to be an apprentice. It requires patience, tolerance, faith, endurance, perseverance, a little attitude and most of all a lot of commitment. Being a part of an institution that punctuality and promptness is essential can really change someone body chemistry, but after a few years with the fact of adapting to the situation and conditions, you wonder how you were ever lived without it. Working under rules and guidelines that were not prevalent in your previous institutions or schools can often tell on the mind of the individual because of their habits of living a more free and less restricted lifestyle. I am not saying that the apprenticeship “cramps one's style”, but it restricts “one's style” to a level that would be accepted in any society anywhere in the world. The apprenticeship also improves one's etiquette, in terms of dining at a table in the proper manner, that is, with the use of knife, fork and napkin, correct way of speaking in terms of elocution of words, avoiding over gesticulation when speaking and a lot other social and moral attitudes that are improved due to being an apprenticeship, there are many more that are too numerous to mention. The apprenticeship also allows you to see what beautifying your surrounding feels like, in the sense of lifting aesthetics of one's environment and learning about social responsibility.
In getting a little muddy the school allows apprentices to know what it feel like to plant and harvest a crop after a long hard season in the garden. Those who have never had the privileged to use a fork before, are given ample opportunity to use one, they do this in the making of beds to plant and all sorts of seasoning, vegetables and fruits. But with all this hard work, I can assure you it is always pleasant to have a abundant harvest after a hard season of work in the garden.
On with the craft training where an apprentice's career is made he or she endures eight hours a day of classroom or workshop practical for five and half days a week. It sounds hard, but trust me, it is more or less challenging and for those who are desirous of having a bright and prosperous future would take this experience out of good sense, because the experience would definitely last a lifetime.
In the sense of sports and culture apprentices are given the opportunity to tap in their "unknown self", things that you never caught your interest before, all are suddenly more clear and live to the point that it sparks your every interest to participate, just to have fun and gain experience. The cycling, athletic and swimming championships add spice and flavour to training .It allows you to be able to feel that it was like when you are six years old with the inclusion of novelty events like lime and spoon, tyre race, etc.
The culture displayed at this great institution gives you the chance to experience the different lifestyle and culture found in our beautiful country Guyana. You are given a back stage pass to view and explore the three denominations of Guyana. Express yourself in a poem, song, skit or dance. Its all about being who you are, which is a member of a large family of brothers and sisters all united to make Guyana a better and prosperous nation and as it says on our national motto “ One people, One Nation, One Destiny”.
There are many things offered at the Guysuco Training Centre Port Mourant, that makes the apprenticeship worth being a part of. Let me tell you that its no walk in the park but persevere and success will definitely come. The apprenticeship guarantees you of a bright and prosperous future. I am proud to be an apprentice of this great institution because of many things I have learned.
I can safely say that I have developed to become a matured and responsible young man with great potential for the world at
large. I have also grown to adapt to situations and confront any adversity that I may face. Guysuco Training Centre, Port
Mourant has made me a versatile and resourceful apprentice.
I welcome all applicants and future apprentice to this wonderful institution for a golden opportunity gives you can a chance to make your mark in the world. I never believe it when I first heard it, but these days at Port Mourant are some of “the best days of my life”, I have been equipped to face theworld "With Skill And Confidence”.