AS Guyana’s economic transformation unfolds at an unprecedented pace, the country’s ability to sustain this growth will depend heavily on whether its young people are equipped with the abilities, knowledge and confidence needed to participate meaningfully in the emerging economy.

“Skills for a Shared Future” was the central message coming out of the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning’s National Youth Skills Forum, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre to mark World Youth Skills Day 2026.

The event helped to highlight an important reality: development is not only about the number of jobs created or investments attracted, but the ability of citizens, especially young people, to take advantage of those opportunities and contribute to national progress.

In his feature address, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh highlighted the government’s commitment to placing youth development at the heart of Guyana’s transformation agenda.

He pointed to the sharp drop in unemployment, saying the national unemployment rate was down from 12.8 per cent when the current administration took office to 6.8 per cent in 2024, while youth unemployment was down from 30.2 per cent in 2020 to 12.1 per cent in 2024.

These figures are more than statistics. The thousands of Guyanese who can get jobs, better livelihoods and be more economically involved are represented by these.

He said that over 104,000 jobs were created during the first five years of the government being in office, which is a phenomenal feat for a country the size of Guyana. Yet, he also noted one of the biggest problems facing the country’s fast-growing economy – a lack of skilled labour.

The fact is that Guyana’s growth has generated a need for workers at a pace that outstrips the country’s ability to develop the necessary technical and professional skills. This challenge is formidable, but this should be seen as an opportunity also.

The current economic climate offers a historic opportunity for young Guyanese. Every day new paths are opening up with the growth of sectors like energy, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, information technology, hospitality, transportation and renewable energy.

The question for young people is not whether there are opportunities but whether they are prepared to seize them.

Dr. Singh had a simple but powerful message for the young people: don’t wait forever for the perfect career path to appear. Act. Train.  Find employment. Build your skills. Begin anywhere.

Too many young people are stuck in a rut because they do not know where they are headed. But experience, exposure and ongoing learning are often what helps people find their strengths and passions. The willingness to start is often the first step to success.

Importantly, the Minister also pointed out that the traditional boundaries around careers are dissolving. No more jobs by gender and young people should be encouraged to look at all the opportunities that are available including entrepreneurship.”

Such recognition is essential in a modern economy where innovation, creativity and adaptability are as important as academic qualifications.

Further reinforcing the importance of technical and vocational education as a pathway to empowerment were the comments of the Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), Richard Maughn. It is not simply about learning a trade, he said, but skills training builds confidence, discipline, independence and the ability to contribute productively to society.

Technical and vocational education should not be a second-best option. In today’s evolving economy, skilled trades and technical skills are among the most valuable assets a person can possess.

The work of the Board of Industrial Training is a demonstration of the effects of investment in human capital. BIT has engaged 18,587 people through over 973 skills-development courses, in all ten administrative regions, between 2020 and June 2026. Government spending on training and capacity building is around $1.78 billion.

These investments are important, because the future of Guyana cannot be built just on infrastructure and natural resources. It has to be made by people.

A young population with the right skills, entrepreneurial confidence and access to opportunities will be the engine of sustained economic growth.

But this is not just a task for government. Employers need to keep opening doors for apprentices, trainees and first-time jobseekers. Training institutions must ensure that their programmes respond to the needs of the labour market. Parents and communities need to promote technical education to youth as a respected and rewarding career path.

Most importantly, young Guyanese must know that opportunity must be balanced with preparation, discipline and commitment.

Guyana is at a critical juncture in its development. The country’s transformation will create winners not only among those with academic qualifications but also among those who gain practical skills, innovate, adapt and create solutions.

So let the message from the National Youth Skills Forum echo beyond the walls of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre: the future is for those who prepare for it.

The young Guyanese are not simply the beneficiaries of national development; they are the architects of it. The country’s current momentum will be measured through their skills, ideas and determination for lasting prosperity for generations to come.