– marking milestone in Guyana’s Oil and Gas expansion

THE atmosphere was filled with pride, celebration, and hope for the future as 24 trainees graduated from the second cohort of the world-class offshore training programme at the Guyana Technical Training College Inc. (GTTCI).
The event marked not just a personal triumph for the graduates, but also a major national milestone in Guyana’s transformation into a global energy player.
Delivering the feature address, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Ashni Singh, extended heartfelt congratulations to the graduating class and their families.
“The privilege is mine to attend this graduation ceremony for the second cohort of trainees successfully completing this internationally accredited training programme. You are a very special group of people,” Dr. Singh said.
The GTTCI programme delivered in partnership with industry leaders such as SBM Offshore and ExxonMobil was executed at the location in Port Morant, with a component conducted in Canada.
Graduates underwent rigorous theoretical and hands-on training designed to prepare them for work on Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels and other offshore platforms.
From a competitive pool of more than 600 applicants, only 24 were selected a testament to their talent, dedication, and potential.
“You competed with hundreds of other applicants. Just making it into this programme is a tribute to your capabilities,” Dr. Singh remarked.
“You were not given a certificate for simply turning up. This was a rigorous programme delivered by instructors from across the globe.”
He commended the graduates for their sacrifices being away from their families, committing to intense study, and adapting to demanding schedules and reminded them that graduation is not the end, but the beginning of a much larger journey.
“This is the start of a much more important journey,” he said, encouraging the new professionals to view the moment as a launchpad for a promising career in oil and gas, both in Guyana and beyond.
Reflecting on ExxonMobil Guyana’s current President, who began his career aboard a vessel, Dr. Singh emphasised that such achievements are within reach for the graduates. “Not all of you will become CEOs, but some of you certainly could. Those who succeed will be those who consistently turn up, perform well, and take responsibility.”
From a broader perspective, Dr. Singh highlighted that the graduation was part of a much bigger story- Guyana’s economic transformation and its integration into the global oil and gas sector. “Five years ago, there were no Guyanese working offshore. Today, there are about 900. By the end of the decade, that number is expected to more than double.”
He emphasised that these roles represent more than employment; they reflect a pathway to middle-class prosperity for thousands of Guyanese families. Over the past five years, the oil and gas sector has created over 6,000 jobs through ExxonMobil and its Tier 1 contractors.
“But none of this happened by accident,” Dr. Singh asserted as he stressed that it was made possible through deliberate policies and visionary leadership.
He outlined several legislative measures enacted by the government to ensure transparency, sustainability, and local participation in the oil and gas sector, including the Natural Resource Fund Act, the Local Content Act and the Petroleum Activities Act.
The Local Content Act, in particular, has opened the door for over 1,000 local companies to access more than GY$1.5 billion in procurement opportunities. It also mandates employment of Guyanese nationals in 40 strategic areas of the industry.
“You represent the face of this new Guyanese workforce,” Dr. Singh told the graduates. “How you perform will shape the world’s opinion of our people. We want SBM and Exxon to speak glowingly of the Guyanese workforce and that starts with you.”
He also commended President Irfaan Ali’s push for localised training and noted that the next cohort of offshore trainees will undergo their full training right here in Guyana enhancing access and reducing costs. “We want to train as many people as possible. And with a facility like GTTCI fully operational locally, we’re ready to do just that.”
As Guyana’s economy expands rapidly, Dr. Singh pointed out that the challenge ahead will be sourcing enough skilled professionals to fill the growing number of opportunities.
“Our objective is to create the conditions for every Guyanese of working age to gain a skill, secure a good job, and build a better life.”
In closing, he celebrated the accomplishments of the graduates and offered a hopeful challenge: “Seize this opportunity. You’ve already proven yourselves, but this is just the beginning. Represent Guyana with pride and excellence. We know you’ll make us proud.”