The Local Content Secretariat says oil companies in Guyana delivered more than 1,600 technical and non-technical programs for Guyanese in 2024, reflecting what Head of the Employment Unit Nicole Haynes described as “the continued commitment to upskilling the Guyanese workforce”.
“In 2024, we saw over 1,600 technical and non-technical programs being offered by these companies for Guyanese in the sector,” she said, speaking at the recent Women In Energy Forum on August 9.
Haynes said contractors, subcontractors, and licensees, including SBM Offshore, TechnipFMC, GYSBI, ExxonMobil, Hess, and CNOOC, are mandated to provide accelerated industrial education and skills development opportunities.
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“These programs are designed to prepare Guyanese, including young professionals, for roles across the petroleum value chain,” she explained.
She noted that the Local Content Act requires priority consideration for Guyanese nationals at all levels of employment, from entry-level to senior management. Where gaps exist in experience or qualifications, companies are required to provide in-house training and technical support.
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Haynes added that beyond skills development, companies are also required to support women-owned businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). She said in 2025, an estimated US$225 million is slated to be spent on women-owned businesses and over US$100 million on SMEs.
The Secretariat has also introduced a classification in its Local Content Register to identify women-owned businesses and SMEs serving the oil and gas industry. “By the end of last year, we had over 120 women-owned businesses already registered,” Haynes said, adding that this data is shaping outreach and support strategies.
She pointed to a new Local Content mobile app designed to centralize information on procurement, training, scholarships, and employment opportunities. “It gives you a direct connection to contractors and subcontractors,” Haynes said.
Haynes stressed that these policies are reviewed and refined to ensure responsiveness and impact. “We’re not only building an energy sector, we’re building a stronger, more equitable, and more prosperous Guyana for generations to come.”
