Director of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe on Friday urged the Council for Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) to establish institutions in Region Eight, according to a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency.
The team visited the region in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to discuss the petroleum sector and the potential impact and transformation it will have on Guyana’s economy.
“Guyana for the first time is in a position to determine collectively the destination where it wants to go,” Dr. Bynoe said as he noted that technical and vocational educational (TVET) institutions will play a vital role in boosting competency and efficiency.
He urged the residents to equip themselves with the requisite skills needed to benefit from the petroleum sector.
Dr. Bynoe told residents of Mahdia and neighbouring communities, which included secondary school students, that Guyanese can benefit from the petroleum sector and contribute directly to the country’s development.
He said too that with the emergence of the ‘New Guyana’, a plethora of other industries will benefit also.
Council for TVET’s Director, Floyd Scott advised that the Ministry of Education’s Educational Reform Plan allows for the establishment of TVET institutions in the future, thereby providing citizens with much needed training and certification.
Meanwhile, Mayor of Mahdia, David Adams commended the Department of Energy for hosting the interactive session and for ensuring that youths are sensitized about the benefits which can be derived from sector.
“I applaud the inclusion of the young people in these discussions because they are the future of Guyana. The massive socio-economic and infrastructural transformation that will result in the oil industry in the coming years will have to be managed by you the young people,” he said.
Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mitsy Campbell also encouraged the residents to position themselves to benefit from all the sector has to offer.
“We have a local posture of asking what companies can do for us. We need to change that posture to ask what opportunities for business do they offer to us. Then we must take that information and prepare ourselves to benefit,” Ms. Campbell said according to the Ministry’s statement.
Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Mr. Bonadventure Fredericks commended the efforts of the central, regional and local governments in the execution of plans and projects in Mahdia.
