The welding and metal fabrication skillset of locals will be raised to international standards with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which sets out in broad terms the arrangements for a new international apprentice programme.
The MoU was signed Friday morning on the side-lines of the International Energy Expo between the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT), Gaico Group and Myer Companies.
The MoU provides a tremendous opportunity for Guyanese, many already trained by BIT to now get access to world-class training in the United States of America.
Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton said while the specifics of the agreement are still being defined, he was happy that the venture will see foreign facilities being made available to locals.
“BIT train people in wielding and fabrication but at the level and standard Guyana is accredited with but oil and gas is a different standard and the capacity is not in Guyana at the moment,” Hamilton said.
The Minister said the government will support every opportunity to expose Guyanese to the highest level of training which will also contribute to the development of the country.
The venture was welcomed by U.S Ambassador to Guyana Sarah Ann-Lynch who applauded the opportunity for Guyanese to train in Alabama and return fully certified to participate at a higher level at companies they may already be employed with.
“Highly trained Guyanese are better prepared to get jobs at higher levels so it is directly related to local content,” the Ambassador added.
Speaking on behalf of Myer Companies, Chief Development Officer Bradley Myer said that while the MoU sets the framework for collaboration there is still a lot of work to be done. He noted that the training would commence within months and it will be a multi-month training.
“There is great local talent here and we can play our part in helping to bring up that,” he added.
The Ministry of Labour says it hopes more of these opportunities become available. Conversations are ongoing with other companies.
