Guyana’s offshore sector is bracing for a major hiring surge in 2026, but the supply of certified local maritime workers is falling short of demand. This is according to Dr. Martin Pertab, who until recently headed Guyana’s Local Content Secretariat.
In an interview with Energy Guyana, Dr. Pertab emphasized, “The demand is there. The qualification and certification pathways need to move just as fast.”
After reviewing jobs across drill ships, supply vessels, and FPSOs, he said he found that: “Certification remains the decisive hurdle between interest and actual employment, particularly in safety-critical roles.”
In response, the government, in partnership with international institutions, has launched a program to certify at least 2,000 Guyanese workers over the next five to seven years.
Three-week certification target set for Guyana’s local content applicants | OilNOW
Training and apprenticeship initiatives are expanding, with an emphasis on reaching candidates outside the capital and focusing on technical and vocational graduates.
“We intend to re-engage the apprenticeship programme and target somewhere around 100 students from technical and vocational training. We also want to engage institutes outside of Georgetown,” Dr. Pertab explained.
This skills push coincides with the government’s plan to table a modern Port Act.
Earlier this year, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali stated, “To support all of these efforts, we need to bring Guyana’s maritime framework in line with international standards. That is why we’re designing a Modern Port Act.”
The new law will establish an independent port authority to ensure professional and independent oversight of port operations.
Together, these efforts aim to position Guyana as a competitive, reliable, and future-ready regional logistics and energy hub, according to President Ali.
Read the full article here: More Maritime Talent Needed for 2026 Hiring Wave | Energy Magazine
