The Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI), in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Council for Technical and Vocational Education Training (C-TVET), and LearnCorp International, has launched Phase II of its technical and vocational training program across Guyana.
Building upon the success of Phase I, initiated in 2019 at the Linden and New Amsterdam Technical Institutes, Phase II now extends to the Leonora and Mahaicony Training Centres.
The project’s primary objectives include enhancing the Electrical and Welding Programmes, introducing safety programs, and facilitating professional development for instructors and students.
During the initial phase, the Linden and New Amsterdam Technical Institutes experienced substantial upgrades to their Electrical and Welding Programs.
Exxon’s Greater Guyana Initiative brings Zoom Rooms project to University of Guyana | OilNOW
The enhancements entail infrastructure improvements, workshop renovations, and curriculum development in alignment with international standards set by the Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities (CANTA) and the National Centre for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Furthermore, a Basic Industrial Safety Training (BIST) Program was implemented across all Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) locations.
President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Alistair Routledge, highlighted the importance of investing in human resources for the country’s future prosperity.
He noted that projects of this nature are “improving the opportunities for people in the country; raising them from unskilled, to semi-skilled roles into skilled professionals, which means they can earn better and have a better quality of life.”
“We are delighted that projects like these are raising the standards of institutions and bringing them up to the international standards because that’s what will be required to be internationally competitive,” Routledge said.
The overarching aim of the GGI project is to elevate the quality of technical training, standardize technical education nationwide, and foster a culture of safety throughout Guyana.
Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, echoed this sentiment, advocating for the equal prominence of technical education alongside academic learning.
“Long-term projects must revolutionize learning and education in the country, ensuring that children have the aptitude to be technical, giving them the same counsel and guidance and facilities,” he added.
Student testimonies further underscored the positive impact of the initiative. Jada Daniels, a student at the Linden Technical Institute, lauded the opportunities afforded by the program, emphasizing its role in immersing students in a professional environment where excellence is the norm. She emphasized the invaluable nature of capacity-building initiatives within educational institutions.
The Greater Guyana Initiative, a US$100 million 10-year investment by Stabroek Block co-venturers ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess Guyana Exploration Limited, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, aims to develop the local workforce, enhance education, and promote sustainable economic diversification in Guyana.
