By Feona Morrison

IN a groundbreaking move aimed at boosting international collaboration and offering practical industrial experience, a top Nigerian energy corporation has announced an internship programme for Guyanese students in that African state.

Century Tamara Logistics Services is spearheading this endeavour in collaboration with Century Group Nigeria, Nigeria’s leading energy firm and operator of the world’s ninth-largest Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) company, by fleet size, in the world.

On Thursday, an eager group of engineering students from the University of Guyana (UG) and Government Technical Institute (GTI) took a significant step toward their future careers in the energy sector by attending a specialised workshop titled FPSO Skills Series: Understanding the Basics of FPSO Operations.

The workshop is being facilitated by Century Tamara Logistics Services and is being held at its warehouse at Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Director of Operations at Century Tamara Logistics Services, Rae-Dawn La Rose said that the workshop’s aim is to equip students with foundational knowledge of FPSO operations, a vital area of expertise given Guyana’s rapidly growing oil and gas industry.

She explained: “[This workshop] is designed to build local capacity in Guyana’s oil and gas sector. Our goal is to leverage the extensive expertise of Century Energy to enhance local skills and knowledge in Guyana. Through the FPSO Skills Series, we offer a comprehensive training programme that combines theoretical learning—focused on safety and basic FPSO operations—with practical, hands-on experience.”

Selected participants will have the unique opportunity to train on-site aboard one of Century Group’s FPSO in Nigeria, receiving both invaluable experience and a per diem during their stay.
According to her, the workshop intends not only to provide important skills to the local workforce, but also to reduce reliance on expats in the oil and gas sector and pave the way for closer ties between Nigeria and Guyana, fostering mutual growth and collaboration.

“Additionally, this initiative marks an expansion of Century Tamara Logistics Services into new realms, including manpower and recruitment services. While we have traditionally excelled in logistics and transportation, we are now proud to offer warehousing, procurement, marine services, and this vital training programme,” La Rose added.

She expressed that the company envisions this as the beginning of a transformative journey, one that will eventually lead to the establishment of a petroleum institute in Guyana, dedicated to developing local expertise in the oil and gas industry.

In his opening remarks, Antony Ellis, Commercial Director at Tamara Logistics Services, discussed the potential of Guyana’s oil and gas industry, highlighting its massive grown and development.

He also emphasised the importance of safety in the industry, sharing personal experiences and stressing the need for proper training and certification.

Over the course of the two-day workshop, students will engage with seasoned professionals on a range of topics, including understanding the oil and gas environment, safety in oil and gas operations and fundamentals of an FPSO operation.

Ryan Mc Garrell, who is in his final year of UG’s Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering) programme, shared his career aspirations as a mechanical engineer in the oil and gas industry, expressing his desire to gain offshore experience and broaden his scope in the field.

“In the next five years my aspirations will be to develop my career in engineering as well as branch out into the oil and gas sector in the sense whereby I would be offshore,” said the 21-year-old. Final year mechanical student at GTI, Princess Baboolall detailed her desire of becoming a mechanical engineer.

She said: “I really and truly want to become a mechanical engineer. I grew up in a mechanical home. I really want to work on a lot of heavy duty [equipment].”

Twenty-four-year-old Annmarie Khadoo, who is studying electrical engineering at UG, said she will be expected to complete an internship next year and is considering numerous choices.

“My interest is in oil and gas but I have been looking at various sectors,” she stated.

GTI student Emmanuel Wilson, 22, stated that his school provided him and his classmates with the opportunity to attend the workshop, allowing them to explore job options in the booming energy sector. He expressed his desire to become a mechanical engineer, but also acknowledged the potential for alternative career paths in this field.

“I really want to be a mechanical engineer. But with the growing oil and gas sector, I’m trying to feel the way out in my direction and where I can fit in.”