“Make yourself marketable”

 – take advantage of opportunities in Oil and Gas Sector – skills training necessary

 – Berbicians benefit from Oil and Gas sensitisation

 – capacity building for NATI and PMTC

DPI, Guyana, Saturday, February 16, 2019

Addressing a large number of youth at the fifth Interactive Session on Guyana’s Oil and Gas Sector held at the Berbice High School Auditorium on Friday, Mayor of New Amsterdam, Winifred Heywood called on those present to make themselves marketable as Guyana prepares for petroleum production. She highlighted that there are my programmes available in Guyana and youth should pursue higher education in order to benefit from the industry.

Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe said the objective of the session is to improve the level of awareness among all persons about the oil and gas sector.

In his presentation, Dr. Bynoe advised that while everyone is keen to be employed in the oil and gas sector, they should also plan for jobs outside of the industry. He explained that as the economy picks up the demand for jobs will increase as more people will be needed in all areas.

“You do not have to chase after the jobs that are at ExxonMobil but you can remain in your current field and be absorbed.”

He, however, made it clear that in order to be employed, certification is a must no matter your field of choice for employment. Dr. Bynoe made reference to everyday scenarios where Guyanese rely on word-of-mouth recommendations without seeking to verify if individuals are actually qualified for the job they are undertaking and warned that that would not work.

“Training, skill building and certification is absolutely necessary but that will happen overnight…we have to position ourselves for not only today but for tomorrow and what is to come in the future,” he said.

The DoE Head further explained that the main areas of focus are mechanical and electrical engineering, welding and fabrication, technicians, warehousing and management. He noted that based on a needs assessment recently conducted the recommendation was to focus on targeted training to fill the vacancies. In addition, there is a need for supply bases that will provide indirect employment for many.

To this end, Dr. Bynoe said, specifically in Region Six there would be work ongoing at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute. The centre is earmarked to be the main institution where human capacity would be built. In this regard, the rehabilitation of the facility will be conducted and will be outfitted with modern equipment necessary for training in the various fields.

Junior Simon, a resident of New Amsterdam partakes in the interactive session

A section of the gathering at the 5th Interactive Session on Guyana’s Oil and Gas Sector

Members of the head table [from left]: Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Newell Dennison, Director of Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Kim Williams-Stephens and Regional Chairman, David Armogan

In addition, recommendations have been made to enhance the capacity of the Port Mourant Training Centre to also meet these demands. Based on as statistics, 54 per cent of Guyanese are directly involved in the sector, Dr. Bynoe posited that by 2020 they are looking to increase it to 75 per cent.

Regional Chairman, David Armogan, in his remarks, echoed similar sentiments by Dr. Bynoe and team.

“There will be no doubt that our country will take on a new path , there will be no doubt that  foreigners will come in flocks to our country to take up the positions in the oil industry, that is why it is important that you the young people begin to prepare yourself for those jobs that will be available in the oil industry so that you too can earn a good living by virtue of all these things that will open up.”

Assessment and Certification Officer C-TVET, David Glasgow, emphasised the need to be trained in order to know how to build skills to be integrated into the sector. He spoke of the importance of preparation, the need to be skilled at an internationally competitive level and the certification necessary. He noted once equipped with the necessary tools many doors would open.

“If you want a job in the new Guyana, you have to be skilled, competent and we have to be able to compete at an international level, so the level of our skills has to be paramount; there can be no place for low standards and mediocrity,” Glasgow advised.

He added, “although we are preparing for the oil sector that could be prosperous, the key to development in any country is ultimately dependent on the kind of service we provide and the kind of products we produce. We have to position ourselves to benefit.”

Junior Simons 31, a tiling contractor who was among the many attending the seminar, stated he was leaving much more informed. “After listening to the presentation I see can myself being a part and benefitting directly and indirectly”.

Story and Images: Nafeeza Sakur