LearnCorp International (LCI) has rolled out a revamped safety training program across Guyana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, now led by Guyanese instructors.
Paul Cribby, Guyana’s Program Manager at LCI, told OilNOW in an interview on September 23, that the shift to national instructors is “absolutely critical” for sustainability. “It’s critical that we try to take what we have learned…those of us that are more experienced, that have been in the industry, to take it and make it more sustainable, but it won’t be if it’s not nationalized,” he explained.
LearnCorp trained over 100 Guyanese Technicians since 2019 – CEO Phil Doody | OilNOW
Earlier this month, 29 instructors from TVET schools were trained in the updated curriculum. Cribby said the sessions included discussions on how the original approach to safety evolved and why changes were needed.
The program, Basic Industry Safety Training (BIST), integrates both traditional safety methods and new approaches focused on resilience and preventing life-altering injuries. Students are encouraged to use tools like a hazard-identification app and a “last-minute risk assessment” card before starting tasks. “It’s just to start to get them to think about safety as part of their job,” Cribby said.
Sod turned for new Occupational Safety and Health Centre in New Amsterdam | OilNOW
The rollout covers 11 institutions, with some already completing the two-week program and others set to begin in October. The Carnegie School of Home Economics, with its focus on kitchen and textile training, opted for an abbreviated one-week course.
Cribby said student participation and instructor oversight will be key. “We will go and spend some time at the schools observing this. From time to time, ask the student – you have that card on him? Did you use it before you started? What sort of things did you think about? That’s how we start to build that safety culture.”
