OVER 100 unemployed Linden youths on Wednesday flocked the Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC) job fair which was held in collaboration with the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN). Given the high rate of unemployment in Linden, the GAC thought it prudent to host a job fair in the mining town, considering the many challenges the youths would have to face, such as transportation cost, to get to its Georgetown office.

With the company having openings in the various positions: airport and office staff, flight attendants, aeronautical engineers, aviation technicians and air marshals, Human Resource Director Shivana Carreiro, said that it is not limiting its employment scope to Georgetown but is seeking out other regions where there is a great demand for jobs, such as Linden. “So far we had a great turnout, more than 110 persons I have counted so far, we didn’t expect that they were so many unemployed young people up [here] and LEN making us a part of their strategic plan… we as a company hope to bring more employment to the town of Linden and to the young people,” she posited.

Last month GAC stated on its Facebook page that in its hiring process, preference will be given to Linden. Since then, Carreiro said that over 200 applications have been received. She was further impressed with the attitude of the youths as they asked question and explained their determination of finding meaningful employment. “The attitude they have shown, they just wowed me, and it’s amazing to know that there are so many young people unemployed and looking for a job and willing to work.” Petronella Damon said that she did not waste any time in applying for the position of flight attendant as the opportunity may not last. “I always wanted to be an Air Hostess, I even applied at Dynamic Airways but did not get through, this is a great opportunity for not only me but for many other young Lindeners struggling to find employment.”

GAC hiring process is currently at the third phase, with about 120 Guyanese already hired. While many persons expressed their lack in confidence in GAC, giving its history of unsustainability, its Chairman, Colin Abrams related to the media that the airlines is aspiring to become Guyana’s premium low cost carrier, to North America and the Caribbean but will commence with flights to Cuba. To guarantee sustainability, GAC would have established a business model which will enable the company to be sustainable for the next century. GAC is a cargo carrier airline that will be transporting passengers as well, and therefore, the airfare for passengers will be very low. Abrams also noted that investors are ready to support GAC’s venture.

With the void of a national carrier since 2001, Guyana’s is currently in the status three category but it is anticipated that the country will be upgraded to a higher status, no later than November of 2018.