GUYANA’S workforce development efforts continue to gain momentum, with the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) already surpassing 70 per cent of its annual training target after enrolling more than 1,600 persons in programmes across the country during the first four months of 2026.
The update was provided by Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, during his address at the 4th Annual Local Content Summit, where he outlined the government’s ongoing investments in skills development, manpower planning and labour market modernisation to meet the demands of Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy.
According to Griffith, 1,679 persons had enrolled in 85 training programmes nationwide as of April 2026, representing approximately 70 per cent of BIT’s annual target. The programmes are designed to equip Guyanese with the skills needed to access employment opportunities emerging across multiple sectors of the economy.
“These programmes continue to promote inclusive workforce participation, with 942 males and 733 females benefitting from training in market-driven occupations such as heavy-duty equipment operation, electrical installation, welding and fabrication, information technology, commercial food preparation, and emerging technology fields,” the minister said.
The latest figures build on the Board’s broader achievements over recent years. Griffith disclosed that more than 16,000 persons across Guyana were trained through BIT programmes between 2020 and 2025, underscoring the impact of the government’s decentralised approach to skills training and workforce development.
“In between the period of 2020 to 2025, the Board of Industrial Training trained in excess of 16,000 persons all across Guyana because this service is decentralised,” he noted.
The minister said the government’s approach is guided by a commitment to ensure that every Guyanese who wishes to participate in the country’s development is equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence to succeed in a competitive labour market.
To support this objective, the government has allocated $2.5 billion in the 2026 national budget for technical and vocational education and skills training, while an additional $723.1 million has been earmarked specifically for the Board of Industrial Training.
Griffith explained that these investments are aimed at expanding opportunities for young people, women and persons living with disabilities, while addressing labour shortages and preparing workers for careers in high-demand industries.
As Guyana continues to experience unprecedented economic growth, particularly in the oil and gas sector and related industries, the government is also strengthening its focus on manpower planning and labour market forecasting.
The minister revealed that the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning is advancing a strategic manpower planning framework that includes the establishment of a Labour Market Observatory. The initiative is expected to identify skills gaps, forecast future labour demand and analyse wage and employment trends, ensuring that training programmes remain aligned with national development priorities.
Recognising that workforce development extends beyond training alone, Griffith stressed the importance of strong governance, efficient labour administration and robust worker protections.
“A modern workforce economic ecosystem must also be supported by strong governance, efficient labour administration, and robust worker protection,” he said.
“As Guyana’s economy evolves, so too must our labour framework.”
He added that the ministry remains committed to strengthening labour standards, modernising legislation, enhancing dispute resolution mechanisms and protecting workers’ rights.
Occupational safety and health also remain central to the ministry’s agenda, particularly as more Guyanese enter technical and high-risk occupations. Griffith emphasised that worker safety is essential to long-term productivity and sustainable economic growth.
“Every worker deserves to return home safely at the end of the workday. Worker protection is not an obstacle to productivity; it is the foundation of sustainable productivity,” he said.
The ministry is also embracing digital transformation to improve workforce planning and service delivery. According to Griffith, investments in digitisation initiatives, workforce intelligence systems and labour market analytics are helping to create a more responsive and forward-looking labour administration system.
“The future of work is being shaped by technology, automation, digitisation, and evolving industry demands. Our responsibility is not merely to react to change, but to anticipate it and prepare our people to succeed within it,” he said.
The government’s continued focus on workforce development comes as Guyana seeks to build a highly skilled labour force capable of supporting economic expansion across sectors including oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, information technology and hospitality, while ensuring that the benefits of growth are broadly shared among Guyanese.
