THE Guyana Government has allocated $2.5 billion in Budget 2026 to expand skills training and technical and vocational education nationwide, as part of a broader effort to upskill Guyanese and prepare the workforce for long-term economic transformation.
Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, during a ‘Budget in Focus’ programme, stated that the allocation forms part of a structured framework linking education and training, with a strong emphasis on inclusion and regional access.
“$2.5 billion has been allocated just for skills training and technical and vocational skills,” Minister Griffith noted.
He explained that the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), under the Ministry of Labour, will play a central role in implementing programmes across the country, with a significant portion of funding targeted at youth, women and persons living with disabilities.
“Out of that $2.5 billion, a significant portion will be dedicated directly to our young people, to women and to youth and, of course, the persons living with disabilities,” the minister said.
He noted that the government has deliberately decentralised training facilities to ensure that opportunities are available in all regions, including hinterland and riverain communities.
“Under the Ministry of Labour, we have ensured that every region in this country has access to training programmes all over Guyana,” he said while adding that persons in areas like Mabaruma, Port Kaituma and Region Seven have access to skills training without having to travel to Georgetown.
Against this backdrop, Minister Griffith added that the objective goes beyond basic skills acquisition and is aimed at building a new generation of entrepreneurs.
“We continue to encourage persons who are a part of these programmes to move to the next level of going beyond just getting the skill, but to become entrepreneurs,” he said.
He said the skills training drive complements major investments in education under Budget 2026, which has allocated $183 billion to the sector.
“Education and training really go hand in hand,” the minister said adding that by the end of President Dr Irfaan Ali’s term, there would be an amazing upskilling of persons all over Guyana.
