100% Guyanese-owned Strategic Recruitment Solutions (SRS) is gearing up to offer a range of manpower services with special focus on the South American country’s emerging oil and gas sector.
Through an “ethics first” approach the company is aiming to be recognized as the industry leader in all facets of staffing solutions from temporary staffing and permanent placements to managing solution driven engagements.
In an exclusive interview with OilNOW, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SRS, Kerri Gravesande, said business opportunities are rapidly emerging in Guyana as a result of the growing oil and gas industry and the company is looking to cater to the growing needs of these new enterprises. “SRS is a recruitment firm geared towards providing staffing solutions for all sectors from corporate professionals to skilled and unskilled labour. There is an opportunity not just only in the emerging oil and gas sector but, also in other sectors, as there is already an increase demand for supporting sectors and sectors developing as a result of oil and gas,” she said.
Ms. Gravesande brings to the table extensive experience in local content integration in Guyana’s oil and gas industry, having founded and served as Country Manager of El Dorado Offshore, one of the first manpower providers to the petroleum industry. During the period March 2016 to May 2018, she spearheaded the recruitment and training of dozens of Guyanese who found jobs offshore with companies such as Stena Carron and Edison Chouest; key contractors of US oil major, ExxonMobil.
SRS, she said, is committed to engaging employees through listening, training and capacity development, and leading by example. Enthused by her new venture, the CEO said she is very passionate about integration of local content in the oil and gas sector and encourages her fellow Guyanese to get involved now. “If we do not wake up and get involved, we will lose the opportunity of making a contribution towards this phenomenal revolution in our country,” she stated.
The company’s recruiting and hiring practices are governed by the Equal Opportunity Employment and other local labour laws. “We will maintain recruiting practices that are consistent with employment laws while promoting ethical hiring,” Ms. Gravesande assured.
SRS already has a range of local and international partners. These include; Guyana’s Ministry of Social Protection – Department of Labour, Guyana Maritime Administration, University of Guyana, Caribbean Surgeries Inc/Partners with ISOS (ExxonMobil approved Medical Provider), Falck Nutec Safety Centre, among several others.
With renewed focus being placed on the involvement of Guyanese in the country’s emerging oil and gas industry, companies such as SRS will play an integral role in helping to train and build the capacity of the local population. Ms. Gravesande, with her experience and knowledge of the industry, said she is committed to playing a role in ensuring Guyanese have an opportunity to develop the skills needed, not only in oil and gas, but for the multiple spin-off industries petroleum production will bring.
