THROUGH its Centre for Local Business Development, oil and gas conglomerate ExxonMobil will be commencing a technical training programme in Linden at the Linden Technical Institute (LTI). This will be phase two of an already completed one-day workshop held in Linden which saw the participation of several businesses and entrepreneurs in an effort to get them involved in the company’s local content.

Given the favourable response, the Centre for Local Business Development will embark on a more long-term programme and this will be done through LTI where the youth of Linden can be equipped with the skills needed in the oil and gas industry. ExxonMobil participated in the Linden Exposition and Trade Fair that took place last week at LTI and President of the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development (LCICD) Mr. Victor Fernandes said that ExxonMobil’s representatives have revealed that discussions are ungoing for the imminent commencement of the phase 2 programme.

Fernandes said that the Chamber is rallying around youth to take up this opportunity and fully participate in this training. “Youths are the future, so we continue to ensure participation. Youths have always been our priority. Our primary objective is to see youths move up ….the aim of the Chamber is not only to develop our members, but to strengthen the community in which they serve and this will enable the Chamber to be more effective and competent,” Fernandes said.

The services offered at the Centre for Local Business Development include information and training in the oil and gas industry, business training and providing key linkages between local and international companies working in the sector. Provision of mentoring, coaching and access to financial support, as well as information on safety, technical standards and procurement opportunities are also made available. The Centre also assists small and medium sized Guyanese businesses with building their capacity and improving their competitiveness in a range of sectors that serve the oil and gas and other industries. It is a reliable resource for information on safety, technical standards, procurement opportunities and project-specific information. ExxonMobil, its contractors, the broader oil and gas industry, and the government will be able to utilize the centre for sourcing local vendors and services.

Last year, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a sensitization forum in Linden where local businesspersons and entrepreneurs were edified on the need to have their businesses registered with ExxonMobil. President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Mr. Deodat Indar, who was accompanied by former Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs, Mr. Kevin Ramnarine, explained to the local entrepreneurs how Lindeners can benefit from the oil and gas industry. Since then, Fernandes said that several businesses have taken up the mantle and registered their businesses, remaining positive that they will be added to ExxonMobil’s local content. “Quite a lot of local businesses registered and now they are potential contractors. Through the registration process, they have the opportunity to be in the data… there might be international companies looking for a local partner and so they can partner with you (local businesses), so those are possibilities that we see,” Fernandes said.

Given the decline in the bauxite industry and the high rate of unemployment in Linden, many believe it would be a boost for Linden’s economy to benefit from the upcoming oil and gas industry.