Dear Editor,
The recent comment that local content must turn foreign expertise into Guyanese know-how is one of the most important points in the oil and gas conversation.
Too often, local content is discussed only in numbers. How many Guyanese are employed? How many contracts went to local companies? How much money was spent locally? These questions are important, but they do not tell the whole story. The deeper question is whether Guyanese are gaining knowledge that stays in the country.
If international companies come here, complete work, earn money and leave without transferring skills, then Guyana has not gained enough. But if Guyanese workers, technicians, supervisors, managers, and businesses learn new systems, standards, and technical practices, the country benefits in a more lasting way. That is what real capacity-building should mean.
Foreign expertise is not a bad thing. Guyana is still a young oil-producing country, and it is natural that we will need experienced international partners. The issue is whether those partnerships help Guyanese grow or simply keep us dependent.
A young technician should not only be hired to fill a number. That person should be trained to understand the work deeply. A local business should not only be used because it satisfies a requirement. It should help to improve its systems, safety practices, documentation and management capacity. This is how knowledge is transferred.
Training also has to go beyond the classroom. Guyanese need exposure to real work environments, mentoring, certification, leadership opportunities and practical experience. Over time, this is how workers move from junior roles into supervisory and specialized positions.
The same applies to businesses. A local company that partners with an international firm should come out stronger, not just with a temporary contract. It should gain better systems, better standards and a clearer understanding of how to compete in demanding industries. If local content is to succeed, we must measure not only participation but progress.
Are Guyanese learning new skills? Are businesses improving? Are workers moving up? Are local managers being developed? Are partnerships leaving behind knowledge? These are the questions that matter.
Guyana’s oil and gas sector will not be here forever. The knowledge gained from it must last longer than the oil itself. That is why turning foreign expertise into Guyanese know-how should be treated as a national priority.
Sincerely,
Samantha Browne
