Oil and gas: First batch of young Guyanese get training online

Eager and young students gathered at the Arthur Chung Conference, Greater Georgetown Monday to begin two online training courses that will ensure that they benefit and contribute to the petroleum industry.

The courses are being provided by an international learning platform, PetroEd in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET).

The two online petroleum training courses will also provide the students with a better understanding of the petroleum industry and be more equipped to secure employment.

PetroEd provides comprehensive oil and gas training around the world.

At an orientation exercise at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Director for CTVET, Floyd Scott said the two courses are ‘the Basic Principles of Petroleum,’ which is an industry overview course, and the second course, which is only taken if the student passes the first course, is ‘An introductory to the Drilling Industry.’

“The trust of the courses is to raise awareness on the oil and gas industry and the behavioral and cultural change which is required in the oil and gas sector especially as it relates to safety, health and workplace behaviour,” Director Scott said.

The basic requirements are proficiency in English Language and access to reliable and stable internet. Upon completion, a certificate will be presented.

This first batch of students has the responsibility to set the stage for others to benefit. It is with their successful completion that will determine the continuation and expansion of the programme

“We encourage all successful applicants to approach the training with diligence, with the required level of seriousness which in turn will realize the level of success,” Director Scott said.

Director of the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe during brief remarks said is a stepping stone in the right direction.

Dr Bynoe said the Department will continue to seek ways to build capacity in the petroleum industry.

He noted that with such a transformative industry it is essential to have the human capacity that can handle the transformation.

“As Guyana continues to seek ways to build her human capacity for greater and active participation in the emerging oil and gas sector, capacity building to ensure that Guyanese are; prepared for the transformation that the oil and gas discoveries will bring and to ensure that greater portion of Guyanese are contributing to the local content pace remains a commitment of the Department of Energy,” Dr Bynoe said.

It was noted that in the future, provisions will be made for persons in the hinterland area to take the courses.