Guyana’s expanding aviation industry marked another milestone on Wednesday as 15 students graduated from the CVQ Level One Aircraft Maintenance Foundation Skills Programme at the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School, becoming the first cohort to complete the specialised training initiative.
The graduates, drawn from Regions One and Two, completed months of technical instruction designed to prepare young Guyanese for careers in aircraft maintenance and the wider aeronautical sector.
The programme was delivered through a collaboration between the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning, with government investing $19.4 million into the initiative as part of broader efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education.
Addressing the graduation ceremony, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar said the aviation sector is undergoing rapid transformation and is creating new opportunities for skilled workers.
He pointed to the dramatic increase in airline operations in Guyana over the past five years, noting that the number of airlines serving the country has grown from four in 2020 to 16 today.
“In 2020, we had four airlines, Caribbean Airlines, American Airlines, Suriname Airways and Copa Airlines. Today we have 16 after five years,” Indar said.
The minister also outlined several major aviation projects currently underway or in development, including plans for more than 40 airstrips, two new airports and a modern airport terminal.
According to Indar, the country’s aviation growth has also translated into improved service standards and international recognition. He noted that Guyana was recently recognised by the Airports Council International following an independent review of airport services and was ranked number one in Latin America for airport service quality.
Guyana has also been elected chair of the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASOS), further strengthening its regional role in aviation leadership.
Looking ahead, Indar said Guyana is seeking a seat on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council in 2028 as part of a broader strategy to position the country as both a regional aviation and maritime hub.
“Our policy given by the President is that there must be two things — a regional aviation hub and a regional maritime hub,” he said. “Those two things are going to be involved in all of our plans.”
Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith told graduates that they are entering a sector expected to play a major role in Guyana’s future development.
He said the government has committed more than $2.5 billion toward technical and vocational education, describing the expenditure as an investment in the country’s workforce and long-term economic growth.
“We expect that in two, three, four, five years from now, all of you will be in a position where you can contribute meaningfully to our society, especially in the aeronautical sector,” Griffith said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Industrial Training Richard Maughn described the graduation as the fulfilment of a commitment to expand access to industry-focused training opportunities across Guyana.
Maughn recalled that when the programme was launched in July 2025 at the Essequibo Technical Institute, it was intended not only as a new training initiative but also as a promise to provide high-quality technical education to communities outside of Georgetown.
“Today, that promise has produced results,” he said, adding that the graduates represent the potential and capability of Guyana’s young people as the country’s aviation industry continues to evolve.