GUYANA’S human resource profession is undergoing a period of rapid transformation, with the Human Resource Management Association of Guyana (HRMAG) positioning itself to help shape the future of work through partnerships, accredited training, research and professional development initiatives launched during its first eight months.
In an exclusive interview on Friday, HRMAG Vice-President, Kevia Todd, highlighted that a significant part of the association’s work during its first eight months has focused on building the institutional foundation, strategic partnerships and professional development opportunities needed to strengthen the HR profession in Guyana.

“We want to be able to deliver value by helping HR professionals understand and interpret the laws that govern employment in Guyana, while also effectively navigating the policies and operational realities of their respective organisations. Our role is to help practitioners operate confidently within both frameworks while becoming more strategic in the value they bring to employees, organisations and, ultimately, Guyana’s workforce,” Todd explained.
Central to this mandate is the association’s deliberate focus on establishing partnerships and signing memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with recognised and accredited universities, professional institutions and corporate partners locally, regionally and internationally.
One of the association’s major achievements has been its partnership with The University of the West Indies (UWI), through which the Advanced Industrial Relations Training Course was delivered.
HRMAG recently celebrated the graduation of the programme’s first cohort, marking an important milestone in the association’s commitment to expanding access to credible, university-backed professional development for human resource and industrial relations practitioners.
The association has also engaged the University of Guyana in discussions on strengthening academic pathways for the HR profession, including opportunities to develop undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Human Resource Management and related disciplines.
Beyond academia, HRMAG partnered with PwC Guyana on a compensation survey aimed at generating valuable market data and insights into compensation practices in Guyana.
The initiative supports HRMAG’s broader objective of encouraging more evidence-based HR decision-making while providing organisations and practitioners with access to relevant workforce intelligence.
The association has also established a partnership with the Academy to Innovate HR (AIHR), expanding access to internationally recognised HR certification and continuous professional development opportunities.
Through partnerships such as these, HRMAG is creating additional opportunities for Guyanese HR professionals to develop globally relevant competencies while applying those skills within the local context.
Todd noted that several other strategic partnerships are currently being pursued, including initiatives in the recruitment and talent management space, with further announcements expected once those arrangements are finalised.
Professional development has been complemented by HRMAG’s commitment to understanding and responding to the realities faced by HR practitioners.
During its first eight months, the association conducted a national survey examining the mental health and wellbeing of HR professionals. Among the findings was a significant level of daily workplace stress among respondents, reinforcing the need for greater attention to the wellbeing of those responsible for supporting employees and organisations.
In response, HRMAG implemented several wellness initiatives, including a community health walk and a yoga and wellness session at Friendship Park in Region Three, incorporating discussions on mental health and creating a supportive environment for participants.
The association has also maintained an active programme of webinars, professional discussions, surveys and polls to identify emerging challenges and determine the training and development needs of HR practitioners operating within Guyana’s rapidly evolving labour market.
“We have been intentional about listening to the profession. Our surveys, polls and engagements help us understand what HR professionals need now and what they will need as Guyana’s economy and workforce continue to evolve. Our partnerships then allow us to translate those needs into tangible opportunities for development,” Todd said.

To date, HRMAG’s professional network has grown to more than 170 members, including over 30 paid members representing organisations across the manufacturing, oil and gas, training and development, and public sectors, among others.
The association’s reach also extends beyond Georgetown, with members from Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo, reflecting its commitment to building a truly national professional body.
Looking ahead, HRMAG intends to deepen university and corporate partnerships, expand certification and professional development opportunities, strengthen research and advocacy, and create greater opportunities for HR professionals to connect, learn and contribute to the development of Guyana’s world of work.
One of its most significant upcoming initiatives is HRMAG’s first Regional HR Conference, scheduled for March 2027 under the theme, “Building the Future of Work in Guyana.”
The association has already issued a call for speakers and is inviting organisations to explore sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the conference, which is expected to bring together HR practitioners, business leaders, academics, policymakers and other stakeholders to examine the changing future of work in Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
For Todd, the progress made during HRMAG’s first eight months demonstrates both the need for the association and the strength of its commitment to the profession.
“We are building more than a membership organisation. We are building an institution that can support the HR profession, strengthen organisations and contribute meaningfully to Guyana’s development. The work we have accomplished in eight months is only the foundation of where we intend to go.”