MUCH is being said about Guyana’s rise as the fastest oil-producing nation, from the number of barrels produced per day to the revenue coming in, and the increase in international partnerships. However, beyond those headlines, another story is unfolding, one rooted in people, opportunity, and national pride.
That story is beginning to take shape as Guyana strengthens its local oil-and-gas workforce. This progress is clearly reflected in the recent graduation of the third cohort of technicians to earn an Advanced Diploma in Oil and Gas from the Guyana Technical Training College Inc (GTTCI). This historic achievement is not just a milestone for the institution, but for the country’s broader development. It signals a clear shift, showing that Guyanese are not only participants in the oil and gas sector, but its backbone.
Professor Clement Sankat, Director of the College, underscored the significance of the achievement. He noted that the 20 graduates represent a programme delivered to international standards, with broader implications for the future of technical education in Guyana.
“You have earned this Advanced Diploma in Oil and Gas, certified to international standards and quality assured by City and Guilds of the United Kingdom. This is no mean feat. This is not a City and Guilds certificate. This is a GTTCI certificate, and it represents a level of accreditation and quality assurance that sets this institution apart,” Professor Sankat said to the graduates.
What makes this moment especially significant is not just the number of graduates, but what they represent. These are individuals who have undergone rigorous, industry-aligned training designed to meet the demands of offshore operations, where technical precision and a strong culture of safety are crucial.
Hearing from the graduates themselves made the achievement even more meaningful. Valedictorian Alvacie Moore captured this sentiment powerfully, reflecting on the journey that brought the cohort to this point. “We are not just technicians; we are innovators, problem solvers, and safety leaders. As we step into our careers, let us remember that our roles connect to something bigger: people’s lives, environmental protection, and the future of this industry.”
The graduates are transitioning directly into roles on Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading vessels (FPSOs). This seamless movement from the technical institute in Port Mourant, Berbice, to offshore operations demonstrates that the training pipeline is working. It also addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing emerging energy producers: the need to build and sustain local expertise.
This progress has been supported through collaboration between training institutions, the government, and industry partners, including ExxonMobil Guyana, which continues to invest in developing local talent and strengthening the country’s workforce capacity.
For years, the narrative around oil-and-gas development in growing economies has been one of dependency on foreign companies, foreign workers, and foreign knowledge. Guyana, however, is steadily reshaping that narrative by building a local workforce that is both capable and competitive.
By investing in programmes like those offered by the GTTCI, the country is creating opportunities for more Guyanese to benefit directly from the sector. It means knowledge is being retained and transferred within our communities. It also means a stronger sense of ownership over the country’s natural resources.
As Moore noted in another moment of reflection, “beyond the technical, this journey has taught us about teamwork. No calibration is done in isolation. No shutdown is ever managed alone. We learned to trust each other, to share knowledge, and to support one another through long nights of study and challenging practicals.”
That sense of collective progress is essential. Oil wealth, if not managed inclusively, can deepen inequality and disconnect citizens from the very resources that are meant to uplift them. Workforce development is among one of the most effective ways to ensure that opportunities are shared more broadly across society.
Sustaining this momentum will require continued commitment. Training programmes must expand, evolve, and remain aligned with the needs of the industry and the realities of offshore operations. Partnerships between educational institutions, government, and private operators will need to deepen. Most importantly, there must be a long-term vision that positions human capital, not oil, as the country’s most valuable resource.
This first graduating class of Advanced Diplomas in Oil and Gas offers a compelling glimpse of what is possible. It is proof that Guyana’s future in oil and gas will not be defined offshore alone, but by the people prepared right here to lead it.
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DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
