The Guyana Technical Training College Inc. (GTTCI) has officially launched its 18-month accredited Advanced Diploma in Oil and Gas course at the new, soon-to-be-completed campus in Port Mourant, Berbice.
On October 6, 28 trainees were welcomed by Professor Emeritus Clement Sankat, Director of the GTTCI, as they began the first phase of the diploma course. The occasion marked a significant milestone in Guyana’s technical education sector, as it transitions all training activities from international locations to world-class facilities on home soil.
“Today is just a start, but a momentous day as you students will be the first Guyanese to be fully trained by the GTTCI in Guyana – 18 months of intensive training in the classrooms, labs, workshops, and yes, the FacTor [Facility Simulator], all such leading-edge facilities which we have established or just about to complete, in nearby Port Mourant,” Professor said in a welcome message to the students.
FacTor, established in 2024 with support from the Government of Guyana, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess, CNOOC, and SBM Offshore Guyana, is a key part of SBM Offshore Guyana’s local content commitment.
The program is being executed with trainers from LearnCorp International (LCI) and Uniteam. It offers advanced specialization in Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, and Production disciplines.
Sankat said they are getting the Port Mourant campus ready for full occupancy by the end of 2025. The students are now temporarily based in New Amsterdam, with plans in place to green and landscape the campus.
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“SBM has been here from the beginning, and we thank you for your confidence in the training the GTTCI will be providing in this year of transition,” the Professor said.
This inaugural cohort includes 20 trainees from SBM Offshore Guyana, six from MODEC, and two from Puffer Guyana. Puffer is an international service provider participating in the program for the first time.
“I was pleased to see six students from MODEC and two from Puffer – another first for us,” Professor Sankat noted. “This is a tremendous first for the GTTCI as we welcome a few students from the service side of the oil & gas industry and do hope in the years ahead more companies will partner with the GTTCI to train its students.”
The program’s curriculum encompasses four phases of intensive classroom, laboratory, and workshop training, culminating in an industry-recognized Advanced Diploma accredited by City & Guilds of the United Kingdom.
“You will be receiving training here in Guyana that is world class, one that only few students in the world can have such access to. Hence consider yourselves very, very fortunate and thus make the best use of this training and experience,” Professor Sankat advised the students.
He extended gratitude to partners and stakeholders, acknowledging their vision and commitment. “To our partners in this visionary undertaking of building this new institution, the GTTCI, I congratulate and thank ExxonMobil for the leadership and dedication it has shown over the last four years for the work we have done to date, to make the GTTCI and today’s historic training start in particular, a reality.”
Professor Sankat also lauded the government’s leadership, stating, “I must give thanks and praise to the Government of Guyana, led by His Excellency our President Dr. M. I. Ali and our Vice President, Dr. B. Jagdeo, for their vision to have this GTTCI established in Guyana. Since they made that announcement to the Guyanese public just four years ago, so much has been achieved from just a vision.”
He shared an optimistic outlook for the future. “Soon you will be located in a brand new, global class training facility that will be the pride of Guyana and in particular its county, Berbice. Upon successful completion, your trajectory for growth and development in Guyana is limitless. Set your personal goals and milestones and go for these, beginning today,” he encouraged.
With the opening of its Port Mourant campus imminent, GTTCI is poised to significantly enhance Guyana’s technical workforce and support the rapidly expanding oil and gas sector, ensuring that local talent is equipped for success in a global industry.
