Dear Editor,
The Government announced last month that the construction of its Guyana Technical Training College Inc. (GTTCI) is now completed. I commend the Government and ExxonMobil for launching this first ever oil and gas training institute (college) in Guyana, perhaps in the Caribbean that is expected to be a game changer for careers in the field. With a lack of industries and shutting down of sugar estates in Berbice to provide employment, the institute will offer training to youngsters (not only in Berbice but throughout Guyana) in the nascent oil and gas industry so they may qualify for jobs in that new industry. As announced four years ago by President Ali and Exxon’s CEO Alistair Routledge, GTTCI will provide requisite training to enhance Guyana’s technical workforce to support the rapidly expanding oil and gas sector with local talent. ExxonM is funding the project.
This institute, an idea of VP Jagdeo and President Ali, was birthed right after a similar proposal prepared and submitted to Government by Dr Baytoram Ramharack and myself, with suggestions and advice from Ravi Dev and Dr Nanda Gopaul in early 2021 for expanding the current (GuySuCo) Port Mourant Training Centre to include training in oil and gas and the modern construction sector. That proposal was reviewed by Ravi Dev and others linked to GuySuCo before submission to Government. It was an idea I birthed after extensive discussions with Ravi Dev who also discussed it with businessmen with close links to the Government. At the time, with the closure of sugar factories, Ravi, Ramharack and I thought it necessary to provide youths with training in oil and gas and related industries so they could gain employment. The idea was to offer skill-based training programmes in sectors such as Logistics, Construction, Oil, Engineering, Agriculture Sciences, Computer and related technical industries through short-term certification courses. Students would receive an apprenticeship stipend similar to what GuySuCo has been offering to trainees. They would be trained with industry relevant skills to enable immediate employment upon course completion after internships and practical training.
We are pleased that Government has taken the initiative and has launched such a training college in oil and gas. Within five years of its production of oil, Exxon has been able to construct this college on Government’s initiative. It is a prestigious idea well beyond our thoughts at the time.
The institute is located in Port Mourant just behind the Anglican Church Primary School, behind the cemeteries of the church and the slave and indentured labourers and their descendants. The initial location, as reported in the media, was the area where the indentured and slaves were buried which was slated to be graded and tombs relocated. The historic cemeteries and the well-known Tilokie and Babwah vegetable gardens were to be graded to make way for the college but were left untouched thanks to an opposition campaign by local residents and write ups in the media. ExxonM was also opposed to disturbing graves even though the indentured cemetery has been largely unused with the last burial (of a son of an indentured) four decades ago. Deceased have been buried in Babu Jahan where Cheddi and Janet Jagan were cremated and their ashes entombed. Anglicans are still buried in the church’s yard. Exxon’s management did not want to touch burial grounds and prevailed on Government to shift construction a short distance away from the cemeteries. The people of Port Mourant and surrounding areas (descendants of slaves and indentured and the church’s management) are grateful that Exxon has left the historic cemeteries untouched.
Former Principal of UWI St. Augustine, Prof Clement Sankat, a Berbician, oversaw the construction of GTTCI which is commonly known as the Oil and Gas Institute. He is also the director. Sankat said it is a US$100M project with three phases completed; residency building remains. ExxonMobil funds the program including training for dozens of students who went to Canada for initial training.
Sankat said that the first batch of students in oil and gas commenced learning months ago training at another location and will shift to the new institute soon. Students were trained in Canada and undergoing further training at the oil and gas institute. He said the training courses offered at GTTCI are similar as colleges in the developed world, including hands-on experience in mechanical and electrical technology. He describes it as a “First World” education, and he hopes to have 150 students enrolled annually, undergoing 18 months of intensive training at leading-edge facilities. Dr Sankat said training will be similar to the FPSOs. He also said there is a simulator that represents the ships and provides hands-on training of the equipment used in oil production.
The institute seeks certification that is internationally recognised and accredited. Prof Sankat said that President Ali insists that certification have global recognition and accreditation.
Director Sankat thanks ExxonMobil for the leadership and dedication and the resources to make the GTTCI a historic training campus. He also said the institute will cater for hospitality and construction industries. It will be a game-changer for careers of many. What Government needs to do now is to prepare the college to launch career degrees not just diplomas.