-Minister Edghill says, urges Corporate Guyana to bolster government’s efforts through education, internships, training partnerships 

A NEW US$35 million integrated industrial complex commissioned by Machinery Corporation of Guyana (MACORP) Guyana Inc at Covent Garden was on Thursday hailed as another major vote of confidence in Guyana’s economic transformation.

Doing the honours was Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, who couldn’t help but note that the country’s expanding infrastructure, mining, agriculture and industrial sectors will increasingly depend on reliable heavy-duty equipment, technical expertise, and skilled local labour.

The facility spans more than 450,000 square feet across seven specialised buildings, and was described by company officials as a long-term investment designed to strengthen equipment support services, technical training and operational capacity in Guyana, while serving as a hub for advanced diagnostics, maintenance and engineering support for industries across the country.

Delivering the feature address, Minister Edghill welcomed the facility as yet another powerful signal of growing confidence in Guyana, noting that a multi-million-dollar investment in equipment, logistics and human resources reflects assurance in the country’s long-term development prospects.

Emphasising that heavy-duty machinery and skilled expertise are both vital to the country’s ongoing transformation, he said, “All of this progress requires machinery, generators, heavy-duty equipment, and specialised technical support. It requires excavators, cranes, bulldozers, graders, loaders, tractors, forklifts, power systems, and countless other forms of industrial equipment that drive productivity and development.”

The minister noted that the growing demand for such equipment is a direct reflection of broader expansion across Guyana’s infrastructure, construction, agricultural, mining and industrial sectors, but stressed that skilled personnel are equally critical.

“Heavy-duty machinery is only as effective as the technicians, engineers, mechanics, and operators behind it. That is why the development of technical skills and engineering expertise must become a national priority,” he said, adding, “As Guyana advances, we will need more trained Guyanese in technical and engineering fields, more mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, industrial technicians, welders, machinists, hydraulic specialists, equipment operators, and maintenance professionals. We will need young people who are capable not only of using modern machinery, but also of troubleshooting, servicing, and maintaining them.”

Encouraging companies within the engineering and industrial sectors to invest in scholarships, technical training and partnerships with educational institutions, Minister Edghill said that as international companies expand their operations in Guyana, local workers must not remain only operators but must also become engineers, technicians, supervisors and innovators.

“I would like to see more companies, especially those involved in the supply and servicing of heavy-duty machinery, invest in the teaching and development of Guyanese talent. Corporate Guyana must recognise that investment in people is just as important as investment in buildings and equipment. We need more apprenticeships, internships, and structured on-the-job training opportunities,” he said.

Further, he said, “There are many talented young Guyanese with the potential to become excellent engineers and technicians, but who may lack the resources or opportunities to pursue specialised training. Corporate partnerships may help bridge that gap through scholarship funds, vocational programmes, and technical training initiatives.”

On the respective roles of government and the private sector, he said, “Government is doing its part to strengthen technical and vocational training by investing in training institutions, expanding access to programmes, and creating opportunities for skills development. We are building a world-class technical training college in Port Mourant, and we are strengthening technical education across Guyana.”

He added, “We need the private sector to become a stronger partner in workforce development by offering internships, mentorships, and hands-on training opportunities. This is not only good corporate citizenship, it is also smart business. A stronger local workforce means greater productivity, lower dependence on imported labour, and stronger long-term economic growth.”

COMMITMENT TO GUYANA

Meanwhile, President of MACORP German Consuegra, in his address, called the facility the result of the company’s long-term commitment to Guyana. He noted that the complex boasts more than 10,500 cubic yards of concrete, over 550 tonnes of structural steel, and 40 kilometres of electrical cable deployed throughout the site, with more than 120,000 square feet of insulated roofing installed to improve thermal efficiency and acoustic insulation.

“This facility incorporates advanced hydraulic and environmental management systems, including rainwater harvesting and reutilisation, wastewater treatment and disposal systems, flood mitigation pumping systems, and engineered drain solutions specifically designed for Guyanese environmental conditions and heavy intense rainfall patterns,” he highlighted.

The site is further supported by two Caterpillar C15 generators capable of producing about 600 kVA each, operating in synchronism to automatically support the facility’s power demands, alongside advanced HVAC systems, fire protection, and next-generation voice and data networks. Consuegra was keen to highlight the facility’s learning centre as one of its most important components, saying:

“This centre operates under a Caterpillar technician career development programme, accredited by Caterpillar, designed to develop highly specialised technical talent. Throughout the years, MACORP has continuously trained young Guyanese technicians, offering them a professional career that begins shortly after they graduate from vocational schools, and progressively develops them into certified specialists that can support the increasingly complex systems that are running in the country.”

Vice-President of Distribution Latin America at Caterpillar Inc., Pablo de la Iglesia, said the investment reflects a long-term belief in the strength of the Guyanese market and goes beyond bricks and mortar to represent a commitment to people.

“Caterpillar’s success around the world is built on strong dealerships; dealers who know their customers, who stand by them in good times and challenging ones, and who invest to ensure they can deliver world-class solutions and support. Today’s inauguration is a powerful example of that commitment in action,” he said.

He noted that the facility strengthens the company’s collective ability to better serve customers through improved serviceability, advanced technology and enhanced safety, adding, “It enables faster response, higher uptime, and the level of excellence our customers expect from the Caterpillar brand. Facilities and equipment matter, but it’s the talent, integrity, and dedication of our dealer teams that truly differentiate Caterpillar in the marketplace.”

Director-General of the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation Alfonso de Armas closed the proceedings with remarks underscoring the broader economic significance of the investment.

He said it delivers “direct employment at this new complex, as well as indirect employment across the suppliers, the contractors, haulers, cleaners, caterers, and security firms that orbit a facility of this size, Guyanese jobs, paid in Guyanese dollars, taxed in Guyana, and spent in Guyana”.

On skills transfer, he added that for a country on the cusp of a fantastic transformation, having “Caterpillar-Certified Technicians, straight here at home, means that a generation of young Guyanese engineers who do not have to leave the country to learn their trade, and the generation of Guyanese employers do not have to import that expertise at foreign rates”.

He described the investment as a signal to firms watching from Bogota, Houston, São Paulo, and Port of Spain that Guyana is a country worth building in, and one that means to stay that course.