Georgetown, Guyana – (February 3, 2020) Director, Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe, today, congratulated 800 applicants registered in the Ministry of Education, Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) and PetroEd Inaugural Oil and Gas e-Learning training courses for capitalising on the opportunity to obtain training and certification in the petroleum sector.
The Director made these remarks in his address at the orientation exercise for the first cohort of trainees, which was held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal.

“These are exciting times to be a Guyanese. There are exciting times to be positioning one’s self for the socio-economic take-off the Co-operative Republic of Guyana is about to experience… This is where a new and emerging sector is embracing technology for important and effective outcomes,” Dr. Bynoe said.

He commended the Ministry and CTVET for realising the initiative as Guyana continues to seek ways “to build her human capacity for greater active participation in the emerging oil and gas sector”.

Dr. Bynoe said the Department remains committed to working with all serious-minded partners in the industry to ensure the successful, efficient and effective long-term development of Guyana’s oil and gas resources for all Guyanese.

At the close of the training, he said the Department of Energy, among other entities, will be offer internships to allow graduates to acquire practical, hands-on and more in-depth knowledge of the industry.

Meanwhile, Director, CTVET, Mr. Floyd Scott, said the Council is pleased with the responses it received from persons in both the formal and informal sectors. More than 1,000 persons applied to participate in the training.

Mr. Scott said the training will give participants a better understanding of the sector and how they can benefit without changing their intended career goals. He expects too, that the training will cultivate a safety culture, not only in the workplace but in communities and the wider country.

Mr. Scott encouraged the trainees to approach the courses with the diligence and seriousness it requires. “As pioneers, you will set the stage for others to benefit as your successful completion determines the continuation and expansion of the programme,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry, in her keynote address said now that Guyana is a petroleum producing state, persons must appreciate the massive revenues and potentials for production and employment that will unfold. In this vein, she congratulated the applicants for taking up the challenge to pursue the training so that they can benefit from and contribute to Guyana’s growth and development.

Additionally, Senior Education Officer, Department of Industry and Innovation, Ms. Valencia Wren, who delivered remarks on behalf of Minister of Public Telecommunications, Mrs. Catherine Hughes, commended the initiative. She said her Ministry has set up over 175 Information and Communications Technology (ICT) hubs across the country, which participants can utilise free of cost, to complete the training. Persons with minimal computer skills can also access support from these hubs to complete the training.

CTVET Administrative and Finance Officer, Mrs. Kelona Carmichael-Clarke and Monitor Inspector in the Standards and Curriculum Unit, Mr. Seon Hamer also attended the exercise.