DESPITE the COVID-19 restrictions, over 200 local businesses are still actively taking advantage of training courses available at the centre for Local Business Development (CLBD), via its online platforms.

In fact, CLBD Deputy Director Natasha Gaskin-Peters told the newspaper, on Monday, that the centre’s website views have spiked to over 7,000 during the April – May months of the pandemic.

The views also come after the redesigning of the centre’s website in March to cater for easier online use. “Since we launched the new website, persons are home and they’re interested so they’re logging in and taking advantage of the services,” Gaskin-Peters said.

Much of the centre’s preparation, even with no thoughts of a possible pandemic, has now served to benefit its users. In March, the CLBD also launched its Supplier Registration Portal (SRP) mobile app after noting plans for same in 2019. The app of IOS and Android, provides users with direct access to the latest business, procurement, contracting and employment opportunities in the offshore oil and gas sector.

Meanwhile, the CLBD also launched a computer-based online training course which provides an ‘Introduction to the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry’. Though it was initially geared towards persons who could not attend face-to-face training, due to the pandemic, it has become even more important.

Added to this, the CLBD has moved its three courses from the Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Management Programme to an online webinar. Businesses can now take the HSSE courses in 30 – 45 minute segments.

Regarding its ISO 9001 programme, though it requires a final in-person component, the centre has found a way to maximize on the excess time. The ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems is a “base” certification to help Guyanese companies better secure opportunities in the sector.

“While face-to-face contact is limited, we’re giving a lot of support as it relates to documentation, and there are follow-up calls with the companies to help them to get themselves in order, so that when things re-open and we’re able to do the visit, they would have gone a good way through the programme,” the Deputy Director explained.

Gaskin-Peters said that, during the COVID-19 lockdown, about five companies have already been brought to this stage and are now only awaiting the site visit.

The CLBD’s website also features the procurement process training which helps persons to learn more about Expression of Interest (EOI), Request for Information (RFI), Request for Proposals (RFPs), Request for Quotations (RFQs), and Invitation to Tender (ITT).

“When we launched the courses, on the same day, over 50 persons were present,” Gaskin-Peters said. To date, on the portal, businesses which partner with the CLBD have been exposed to 58 tenders from the oil and gas sector. “Opportunities continue in the oil and gas sector,” Gaskin-Peters added.

She hopes that even more local businesses aiming to benefit from the sector will realise the importance of being properly informed and trained. She also assured the nation that, as long as a person has access to the internet, they can interface with the CLBD’s online platforms.