Professor Clement Sankat, Director of the Guyana Technical Training College Institute (GTTCI), has lauded ExxonMobil’s contribution to the country’s workforce development, affirming the company’s commitment to building local capacity in oil and gas and beyond.
Speaking at a recent graduation ceremony at GTTCI, Prof. Sankat said, “We are building a world-class technical institute right here in your backyard… one that will offer superb training once fully completed, not only in oil and gas, and subsequently, hopefully, in engineering.”
He noted that the GTTCI campus is being transformed into a state-of-the-art facility, with Phase Three expected to be completed by September – October 2025. “We are building this entire campus… the main workshop, the laboratories, the teaching and learning building and essential infrastructure,” he said. The new training model replaces the previous six-month program with an 18-month Advanced Diploma Program.
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He recognized the support of SBM Offshore and ExxonMobil in making the program possible, stating, “I must commend you, Alistair [Routledge], your team is very committed to building Guyana’s capacity… I couldn’t see a more committed group.” Routledge is President of ExxonMobil Guyana.
Sankat also emphasized the importance of training local trainers. “One of the challenges in our country is to get our Guyanese technical instructors trained themselves…We have to train our own. We have to put the resources to train our own.”
In addition to oil and gas, the GTTCI will soon launch programs in building and construction, and hospitality and tourism. Sankat said the goal is to offer opportunities for more students across all regions.
ExxonMobil leads the Stabroek Block consortium, which includes Hess Corporation and CNOOC. The Block is now one of Exxon’s most valuable growth assets as global demand continues for low-cost oil. ExxonMobil has placed Guyana among its top three deepwater developments globally.
