The guyanese company championing local talent in the oil and gas industry

AS Guyana stands on the brink of an oil boom, Pandora Energy Inc. is playing a pivotal role in connecting local talent with opportunities in the industry. This local recruitment firm is dedicated to training and empowering Guyanese professionals for success in the evolving energy sector. By specialising in preparing individuals for the demanding world of oil and gas, Pandora Energy is not just filling positions but nurturing the next generation of professionals who will drive the country’s energy future.

Pandora Energy Inc. and its slogan ‘Powered by Guyanese’ may not yet be a household name for most Guyanese, but it is one of the companies leading the way in developing the nation’s human resources in the newest and fastest-growing industry. The Pepperpot Magazine recently spoke to Pradeep Ramoutar, one of the advisors behind this impactful venture, to learn more about their mission and efforts.

Since Guyana’s discovery of oil, a number of companies have come to our shores in an attempt to be a part of the world’s most recent oil boom. Similarly, Pandora Energy began with the discovery of oil in Guyana in 2015. As Pradeep shared with The Pepperpot Magazine, “Pandora started when we found oil in 2015. We knew we were going to be big in Guyana, we knew that oil was going to be big in Guyana,” he explained.

The company was founded by Jaikerran Persaud, who passed just a few weeks ago. He was a Guyanese who had spent over 25 years working in the oil and gas industry overseas and recognised the potential for growth back home. “The founder of Pandora, Jaikerran Persaud, came back and started his business. He gave us the ideas. And we just wanted to come here. So it was a success story,” Pradeep shared.

Coming off of this success, coupled with a passion for young Guyanese, Pandora Energy Inc. has successfully trained hundreds of young men and women in the past several years.

One of the main aims of Pandora Energy is to equip individuals with the right skills that are crucial for success in the oil and gas sector. The company has developed a comprehensive training and certification process that begins with basic cadet training at maritime institutes. “Right now, you need some basic cadet training. Once they come from there, we have a cadet programme,” he explained. Pandora has created a space for diversity as well, having a team of cadets and trainees from all across Guyana, skilled in various fields.

Since the launch of their cadet programme in 2021, Pandora Energy has seen significant engagement from aspiring professionals. Participants are trained in various specialisations, from engineering to marine operations. “So as soon as they come out of training, whether they want to be an AV, they want to be an engineer, they want to be an electrical engineer—we train them for all of that,” Pradeep said. However, he emphasised that passing examinations is still a prerequisite for career advancement. “You still have to do the exams and pass the exams. So someone could start as a normal sailor and they could finish as an officer on a bridge,” he added.

The recruitment process at Pandora Energy is designed to ensure that local talent is effectively matched with growing industry needs. Before the introduction of local content regulations, the firm successfully placed individuals on supply vessels, but Pradeep noted that this was not as extensive as desired. “Before the local contract was passed, we had placed guys on these supply vessels. But it’s not as much as we wanted,” he said. Now, Pandora is able to train more men and women than ever before.

As oil and gas continues to grow, more women continue to pick up the mantle and go aboard ships. As Pradeep explains, Pandora continues to see more women aspiring to be sailors, engineers, and captains, and Pandora is committed to supporting this shift. “It’s mostly dominated by men. But we have and still have female cadets. Cadets that are still in the programme with us today,” he said.

The impact of Pandora Energy’s training initiatives is significant. “We have over 120 seafarers right now,” Pradeep highlighted, demonstrating the growing pool of qualified professionals entering the industry. The training programmes encompass various aspects of offshore safety, preparing participants for the challenges they will face in the field. “We train them in the helicopter, water safety, firefighter safety. There’s a lot of safety training. Because when they are at sea, we do not know what can happen, and we want them to be prepared,” he explained.

With numerous companies, both Guyanese and international, venturing into oil and gas, Pandora is among just a handful dedicated to ensuring Guyanese have a bigger role to play. As Pradeep shared, “We have been at the forefront in pushing Guyanese to work here. Because the industry is in Guyana. We are at the precipice now—bigger than ever,” he stated.

As Guyana continues to develop its oil and gas industry, Pandora Energy Inc. and similar counterparts stand as beacons of hope for aspiring professionals. Through its comprehensive training programmes and commitment to local talent, the firm is shaping the future of the energy sector in Guyana. With a focus on inclusion and skill development, Pandora Energy is not just creating jobs but building a sustainable workforce equipped to navigate the challenges of an evolving industry.