–says Guyanese must get certified to compete with influx of foreign workers

ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, has emphasised that government is prepared to invest its “last and bottom dollar” in Guyanese, but has urged citizens to equip themselves with the necessary skills and certifications to compete for jobs as skilled foreign workers enter the local labour market.

He warned that Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy is attracting skilled workers from around the world, increasing competition for jobs in the local labour market.

Nandlall said Guyana’s economic growth and growing attractiveness to investors have resulted in people from other countries migrating to Guyana, including undocumented migrants whom he described as educated, disciplined and skilled.

He said this presents a challenge for Guyanese workers seeking employment, particularly in sectors where employers are looking for qualified and certified personnel.

“We live in a free economy. We can’t just not hire people once they are qualified because they are foreigners,” Nandlall told graduates at a recent Board of Industrial Training (BIT) graduation ceremony.

However, he said the government is working on a statutory framework aimed at protecting the interests of Guyanese as more foreigners come to the country to live and work.

Nandlall said the government has a “primary and principal duty” to ensure that Guyanese receive priority and preference, describing this as their “birthright.” At the same time, he urged Guyanese to take responsibility for preparing themselves for the opportunities available.

“You have to qualify yourselves. You have to be certified,” he told the graduates.

The Attorney General was at the time speaking to 288 graduates who completed training in eight occupational areas, with taxpayers investing $21,541,600 in their training.

The areas included heavy-duty equipment operation, electrical installation, air-conditioning and refrigeration, commercial food preparation and agro-processing.

He therefore emphasised the importance of these technical skills, describing them as “crucially required in the developmental equation of this country.”

Nandlall said the technical skills acquired through the programme are important to Guyana’s development, but he used the opportunity to encourage the graduates not to regard their newly acquired qualifications as the end of their education.

“Graduating today, I want you to consider that as only a baby step in the journey that I would like you to take,” he said, urging them to use the training as a stepping stone towards further education.

CERTIFICATION IS IMPORTANT

He said the need for certification will become increasingly important as Guyana’s economy develops and more international businesses establish operations here.

Nandlall pointed specifically to the hospitality industry, noting that Guyana already has several five-star hotels operating, with more under construction. He said the country could have about 10 branded hotels within the next two years, creating demand for workers who meet international standards.

He said practical ability alone may not be sufficient to secure some of these positions.

Nandlall used chefs as an example, noting a person may be an excellent cook but could still be overlooked for employment at an internationally branded hotel without formal certification.

He made a similar point about maintenance workers, stating a skilled plumber, mason or electrician without certification could find themselves working in a lower-level position while a certified worker secures the better-paying opportunity.

He said this demonstrates why workers must ensure that their practical experience is supported by recognised qualifications.

“That is the challenge that you have to accept and work towards overcoming,” Nandlall noted.

The Attorney General also pointed to the government’s investment in education and training as part of its effort to prepare Guyanese for the changing labour market.

Nandlall also highlighted the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme, revealing more than 54,000 scholarships have been issued to date.

He said the programme is designed to accommodate people from different educational backgrounds, including those who may not initially have the academic qualifications required to enter higher-level programmes.

According to Nandlall, preparatory courses are available to help people meet the requirements for further studies, while the programme offers academic and non-academic opportunities ranging from certificates and diplomas to masters and doctoral degrees.

He also pointed to the government’s decision to make the University of Guyana (UG) free and to cover the cost of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), stating these measures are intended to make education more accessible to Guyanese.
Nandlall further highlighted plans for an oil and gas institute at Port Mourant, noting that the facility will provide specialised training for Guyanese to meet the requirements of the country’s growing oil and gas sector.

He explained, “We recognise that it’s a new sector [and] you are not exposed to the skill set that that sector requires, and that’s why we are building that place where you can be educated. That is why we passed the local content legislation to protect jobs in that sector and to ensure that you get the jobs in the sector that you are qualified for.”

“That legislation alone has created thousands of jobs and has caused over a billion U.S. dollars to be invested in the local sector. That one piece of law that we passed.”

Nandlall urged the graduates to take advantage of the opportunities being provided and to continue investing in themselves.

He stated, “So, my friends, your lives and your destiny are in your own hands. I assure you that you have a government in place that is offering you all the opportunities and will afford you all the educational pursuits and will pay for it.”

The Attorney General said Guyana’s natural resources give the country an important economic advantage but stressed that its people remain its most valuable resource.

Drawing comparisons with countries such as Japan and Singapore, he argued that investment in human resources can transform a country’s economic prospects.

Guyana, he said, has both abundant natural resources and the opportunity to develop a highly skilled workforce capable of managing and benefiting from those resources.

He therefore encouraged the graduates to continue acquiring qualifications and skills so they can compete effectively in a labour market that is becoming increasingly attractive to foreign workers.