A state-of-the-art petroleum training facility was launched yesterday and according to Prime Minister Mark Phillips, it is part of government’s efforts to continuously bolster investments in human capital.
A release from the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday stated that these remarks were made at the official launch of the US$20 million 3T EnerMech Guyana Training Centre of Excellence and graduation ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.
“A crucial factor to the success of our nation lies in our people. We must ensure that we utilise the benefits of the oil and gas sector to build a bright future for this, the next generation of Guyanese and beyond. To do that, we must undertake a culture of ownership, a culture where our local content – our people – can thrive and that includes within the workforce itself,” the Prime Minister was quoted as saying.
The state-of-the-art training facility is a collaborative venture between 3t EnerMech, Orinduik Development Incorporated and Windsor Technologies. Persons will be taught through blended learning software and technology, and via fully immersive simulators for high-hazard activity learning.
During his address, Phillips lauded the drive and innovation of the facility and those responsible for its establishment.
“As the first entity with approval to deliver OPITO [Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation]-accredited training to the oil and gas sector in Guyana, our human resources are now strengthened at a global standard to actively and competently participate in the building of this new and abundant area of the country. With an industry that requires high skills and knowledge, it is reassuring to know that these capacities can be imparted to our people without having to leave their home soil.”
The goal of OPITO is to achieve globally accepted guidelines for the oil and gas industry. It was established in 1977 to ensure safety in the oil and gas industry. OPITO certification is a common requirement for thousands of global offshore workers whose employers require a shared knowledge of safe working practices benchmarked against the same industry standard.
The PM also posited that the “benefit of strong partnerships can never be understated, for these are the (bonds) that allow goals that may otherwise seem unattainable to be achieved.” The government, he explained, will collaborate with 3t EnerMech to offer a blended technical and vocational training programme for Guyanese interested in careers in the oil and gas industry through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL).
“Our Government has continually engaged in the training of our workforce to be able to occupy positions in the oil and gas sector and contribute to the building of this sector, which extends to the development of Guyana. In the past, much of this training was conducted away from home, but today, and from hereon, our people will be able to access such training right here in Guyana.”
The training programme provides a level one qualification from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and is divided into three phases: pre-learning assessment and safe passport, which are completed online, and the technical pathway, which is the practical journey, which is completed at the 3T EnerMech headquarters.
A graduation ceremony was also held in conjunction with the launch for the first batch of students. The PM congratulated the graduates and challenged them to put their skills to use, the release added.
In a press release in February this year, Joseph Lichon, said: “It’s our mission to develop local content globally and to help create safer, smarter, more sustainable workforces. Until now, Guyana nationals working in the oil and gas sector would be required to travel to Trinidad and Tobago, the US or Canada, for accredited training, making it very costly and time consuming. This is compounded by the logistical challenges of the pandemic including travel restrictions, additional requirements, and limited flight availability.”
Paul Knowles, VP Training for 3t Energy Group stated: “With Orinduik constructing the 3t EnerMech Guyana Training Centre of Excellence, coupled with our expertise, technologies, and programmes, we are providing a full package to help support the country’s personnel to excel in the oil and gas sector. We are very proud to play a critical role Guyana’s future and enhance its economic prosperity by making accredited skills and safety training available in country for the first time.”
Orinduik, the release added, is also in the process of building Guyana’s first commercial heliport at Lusignan as part of a wider complex which will incorporate the new training centre, an aviation/marine Polytechnic School as well as a hotel and business centre.
Harrychand Tulsi, Chairman of Orinduik said in the February release, “…we are very excited to be partnered with 3t EnerMech in delivering world class training and certifications as we build a skilled and safe local workforce for the expanding offshore market. This demonstrates our support and alignment with the Government’s commitment to training and employment of Guyanese in key positions in this sector.”
