Noble Corporation has officially launched the 2026 cycle of its Cadet Scholarship Program, expanding its efforts to train more young Guyanese for maritime careers.
“This is actually the third cohort that we’re launching,” Renatha Khan, Noble’s Local Content Manager, said. “The first batch was pretty small, that was a tester for us, and as we grow, yes, we now have six teenagers and 20 ‘babies’.”
The Noble Cadet Scholarship Programme is a four-year initiative that combines 18 months of academic training with 18 months of offshore experience. It fully funds tuition and provides mentorship and development support, targeting high-performing Guyanese youth interested in maritime professions.
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“This has been such an impactful program for all involved,” Khan said. “We’ve made so much progress in the maritime space… just looking at you guys in the room today makes me feel so proud, not only as a Noble employee, but as a Guyanese citizen.”
Captain Chris, a Noble representative, reflected on the transformation of cadets during their offshore rotation. He recounted the growth of cadet Shaquan Amsterdam, who “started really timid” but lit up when speaking about engineering. “That change is manifesting in him today, spending time on the Noble Don Taylor and actually getting a chance to put his vision and dream in action.”
Local Content Champion at El Dorado Offshore (EDO), Thalia Wilson, said interest in the program has grown rapidly. “In 2024, we received over 900 applications from across the country,” she revealed. “From that pool, we selected our 20 Global Scholars…and by April, the cohort began their journey under their full ride scholarship.”
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For 2026, Noble and its partners will again select 20 applicants. Wilson said key improvements have been made to the process, including the integration of QR codes for applications and clearer information on partner roles, timelines, and interview preparation. “Applications are officially open from today [August 6, 2025]. The deadline for submissions will be October 31, 2025…by the end of December we will announce our new Noble 2026 scholars.”
By the end of this year, the program will have awarded 46 full scholarships since its inception. “We see your dreams, we value your ambition, and we’re here to help you rise,” Wilson added.
MatPal Marine Institute, Noble’s academic partner, plays a central role in training the cadets. “Although it’s three years in for cadets and over five years for our general collaboration, we couldn’t have done it without Noble,” MatPal’s Coleen Abrams said. “You are more than fortunate…you have an opportunity of a lifetime, and one that surpasses so many others.”
So far, MatPal has supported over 110 young Guyanese through Noble-sponsored maritime training. “Even if it had only been one, we would have been grateful,” Abrams said. “Because it means another young Guyanese is in position to make a mark, not only for yourself, not only for us, but for the country.”
In 2023, Noble sent two Guyanese nationals to study maritime transportation at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The company is among several international companies operating in Guyana’s oil and gas sector that have provided scholarships and training opportunities for locals.
