-partnership aims to promote workforce development, inspire next generation of drone pilots

DRAGONFLY Solutions Group Inc. and Altomaxx Offshore have partnered to form a joint venture that represents the value of international collaboration, and the strengthening of relationships between Canada and Guyana.

The joint venture is said to be a prime example of what Canadian and Guyanese businesses can build when they choose to work together, rather than trading across the distance.

Where Altomaxx brings years of experience across several continents, Dragonfly Solutions Group brings an established local presence, regulatory familiarity, and relationships built over years of operating in Guyana.

Delivering the feature address, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith said that this initiative truly demonstrates how we can take a passion, and turn it into a partnership.

Minister Griffith stated that in 2020, when Dragonfly’s Founder Brian Smith decided to take a leap into a non-traditional sector, not only did the government change, but the trajectory of Guyana changed completely as well.

“Brian took an idea and turned it into a passion. Six years later, that passion has turned into partnership, and so, it demonstrates to all of us here today what we can do with just an interest, with just an idea, and it demonstrates to us that the world really is ours and we all have the ability,” the minister said.

He remarked that this was more than the celebration of the forming of a joint venture; it is a celebration of partnership that has the potential to create opportunities for Guyanese, strengthen local capacity, facilitate skills development, and contribute to the continued growth of Guyana’s economy.

Guyana, the minister said, stands at a remarkable point in its history. Across many sectors, we are witnessing unprecedented growth and transformation, new investments are creating opportunities, industries are expanding, and our nation’s economy continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the Minister posited.

Continuing, he said economic growth on its own is not enough.

As Guyana continues to expand, and diversify its economy, the minister said we must ensure that our workforce is prepared to meet the demands of emerging industries – technology, innovation, and specialised skills – that will increasingly shape the jobs of the future.

He pledged the government’s continued support to the private sector, and to young people who, like Brian, are ready to take full advantage of the opportunities that exist.

He noted that in the coming days, Guyanese will see and hear more about other opportunities, and how they can turn passion to partnership. This, he said, is going to change the landscape of how business is done, and how young people are able to do business in Guyana.

“As our country continues to expand and diversify its economy, we must ensure that our workforce is prepared to meet the demands of emerging industries. Technology, innovation, and specialized skills will increasingly shape the jobs of the future, and our people must be equipped to seize those opportunities,” he said.

Dragonfly’s Founder, Smith, said that at his company there are two things that are important. One is that collaboration is what will make them succeed, and the other is the shared aim of operating at the global standard, although the operation is grounded in Guyana.

“Today’s proof of a lot of hard work comes success. And we’re happy about this partnership. It’s about workforce development. It’s about inspiring the new generation,” Smith said.

Meanwhile, Altomaxx’s Chief Operating Officer, Steve Priestley shared that since its establishment in 2018, the company has expanded to thirty countries, six continents, and is now establishing a full-time presence in Guyana, through the partnership with Dragonfly Solutions.

“We’re both passionate more than just about drones and growing business. As I said, it’s about education, it’s about that next wave of drone pilots, and it’s about another form of careers that we can offer. And it’s a career to do with education, compliance, so many other things that people go that gets overlooked, and it’s something, hopefully, we can bring to the Guyana market to help the entire industry grow,” Steve related.