Dear Editor,
Here it is! The “Construction of Guyana (first) Technical Training College” is a done deal. It is fully completed. This GTTC campus is located in Port Mourant, Region Six, but is not to be thought of as a parochial entity. According to President Irfaan Ali, “… the facility is now fully prepared to welcome students in January (as) the campus features a state-of-the-art Facility Simulator (FacTor), practical workshops, lecture rooms, and administrative offices, among other modern amenities.” He added that “It is designed to deliver hands-on, industry-relevant training that will equip students with essential technical skills, strengthening Guyana’s workforce and supporting the country’s rapidly expanding oil and gas sector.” Indeed, this realisation is very vital and I am glad for all of us in the country.
May I remind us that training is absolutely essential for working in any oil and gas sector, as it directly impacts safety, ensures regulatory compliance, improves operational efficiency, and offers significant career benefits. As regards ‘career benefits,’ we must always bear in mind that ‘certified’ training is well-established globally. People have to be accredited, and this college has that all-important role to play in Guyana’s developing landscape. We know that investing in training and skill development can lead to better job opportunities, career progression, and increased earning potential. A well-trained professional is a valuable asset to an employer, which can enhance job security, especially in today’s competitive market.
At the level of the United Nations, all affiliated bodies, particularly the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), keep emphasising the need for comprehensive training in the oil and gas sector. This is driven by requirements for safety, environmental compliance (especially methane mitigation), skills development for new technologies, and ensuring a “just transition” for the workforce during the global energy transition. What this says to me is that Guyana is adhering to Best Practices and our people can and will be a major force internationally.
In fact, it is predicted that over the next decade or so, Guyana could very well lead the world in growing its oil output. This is according to the International Energy Agency. Yes, there are challenges such as “… a lengthy to-do list to modernise the country, (in order to improve basic infrastructure and services and retain its educated workforce after historically suffering from a brain drain…” But more and more ‘do-ability’ is becoming a reality. I bet there is a lot more to come.