The Guyana government has allocated GY$420.5 million (US$2.1 million) this year to train Guyanese for jobs in the country’s rapidly expanding oil and gas sector. This was announced by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh when he presented the 2022 National Budget on Wednesday.
Under this programme, Dr. Singh indicated that training and certification will be provided to welders, stevedores, heavy vehicle operators, and others. The programme will initially provide training for 1,000 Guyanese and will continue into the medium-term which will see up to 4,500 persons being trained over the next four years.
“Importantly,” the finance minister said, “Government will be partnering with the private sector to establish a Guyana Technical Training College with a campus at Port Mourant that will incorporate the renowned GuySuCo Port Mourant Training School, and that will also add new training facilities for oil and gas as well the tourism and hospitality sector.”
He stated that an initial GY$260 million (US$1.3 million) was budgeted to commence work at this location in 2022.
Outside of the work that the government is doing, oil and gas companies and its support services have been looking to ensure that Guyanese are trained for the oil and gas sector.
To this end, SBM Offshore is providing the opportunity for Guyanese to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to work onboard floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels operating offshore Guyana through its Trainee Technician Programme.
According to a notice that had been published by the company last year, the programme is open to semi-skilled mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and production technicians as well as those with technical and engineering diplomas and degrees from all regions who possess certification from a recognised institute of related studies.
Candidates were said to be exposed to safety and technical competencies through an onshore and offshore learning environment.
Meanwhile, ExxonMobil Guyana has been partnering with local groups such as Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG) to deliver technical training to Guyanese men and boys.
Last year’s programme was implemented successfully under the theme “Bringing the Best out in Young Men and Boys”, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
