SBM Offshore Guyana’s Trainee Technician program churned out another 24 Guyanese graduates, who are now one step closer to careers offshore.
“It is only the beginning,” remarked Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana during a ceremony held at the Guyana Technical Training College Inc. (GTTCI) in Port Mourant, Berbice today.
The program was developed through a partnership among Exxon, SBM, the Government of Guyana, and Learn Corp. International, aiming to put Guyanese at the forefront of Guyana’s energy sector. Offshore, Exxon currently produces oil from three floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, with a fourth set to come online soon.
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The group spent a year in Canada and another six months at GTTCI, which also doubles as an FPSO Simulator, undergoing practical skills training in Instrumentation, Production, Electrical, Cargo and Mechanical fields to build their capacity to support offshore operations.
“It is so important that we invest in Guyanese people, so that you can be the ones that are developing your own national resources in the long term,” Routledge said.
Country General Manager of SBM Offshore, Martin Cheong, remarked that training and development are essential tenets in shaping the future of Guyana’s energy sector.
“We firmly believe that investing in education and training lays the foundation for long-term development and meaningful progress,” he added.
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The trainees came into focus as Professor Clement Sankat, the GTTCI Director, took the stage.
“Do us proud in your next journey on the FPSO. I am confident that you will, because there’s only been good news. Be cognizant of the unique and exceptional training opportunity you have been given and please, remember your college,” he said.
Copping the spot of Valedictorian in this cohort was Krystal Trim, Production Technician.
“The knowledge we’ve gained here goes beyond technical skills. Yes, we learned procedures, systems, safety protocols and best practices, but we also learned perseverance, professionalism and the power of collaboration,” she said.
Guyana’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, delivered the feature address. To the trainees, he commended them for being selected out of 600 candidates.
“To get into the class is itself tribute to your ability and your talent, the strength of your candidacy and that itself was a triumph for which you are to be congratulated,” he added.
He asked them to reflect on the opportunities ahead as each has a chance to make a meaningful mark on Guyana’s energy industry.
About GTTCI:
GTTCI is a cutting-edge institution established to equip Guyanese with practical skills for the oil and gas industry. Backed by an investment exceeding US$100 million, the college is a joint initiative between the Government of Guyana, SBM Offshore and ExxonMobil.
It is designed to meet the growing demand for a technically skilled workforce, driven by the country’s booming oil and gas sector. GTTCI will offer specialized training programs not only for oil and gas roles but also in related fields such as hospitality and tourism, broadening opportunities for national development.
