40 PWDs receive job readiness training through GCOPD–ExxonMobil partnership

Forty persons living with disabilities are currently participating in a job readiness workshop being executed through a collaboration between the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) and ExxonMobil Guyana.
This training caters to unemployed persons who are blind and visually impaired from Regions Two (Pomeroon–Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara), Four (Demerara–Mahaica), Six (East Berbice–Corentyne) and Ten (Upper Demerara–Berbice). The programme is part of GCOPD’s ExxonMobil Guyana-funded Orientation and Mobility Programme. Speaking at the launch event, which was held at the Labour Ministry on Tuesday, Labour and Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith expressed optimism about the future of persons living with disabilities, emphasising that they have the potential to achieve anything they set their minds to. He noted that the initiative represents an important step toward that goal and encouraged participants not to be discouraged, affirming that with determination and ability, they can pursue opportunities and succeed in the workplace.

“I’m excited for the future for persons living with disabilities because it means that you can do anything that you wish to do. Anything that you set your hands to, you shall be able to achieve it. And today represents just one part in getting to that, and so there will be no person who can tell you that you are not able to work wherever you want to work. As long as you have the strength and the ability, you will get closer to achieving that,” he said. Griffith added that this initiative is in keeping with the president’s goal of ensuring that the workforce is inclusive of persons with disabilities.
“Of course, you would have heard from the president’s address on December 17, when he spoke about where Guyana is headed in terms of development. He said it is his desire for at least 10 per cent of every workplace to be reserved for persons living with disabilities. This workshop essentially brings you closer to being able to take those opportunities. These initiatives are here so that you can take and grab hold of many of the opportunities which the government is ensuring become available to you,” he stated.
The Minister noted that there is a strong foundation being created to allow persons living with disabilities to thrive. “But even more than policies and all that we’re doing with infrastructure and so on, I want to address all of the persons here today because you are here and have shown a willingness to participate in this workshop. It means that there is inclusivity at every level. And so, I commend all of you for being here and for being a part of this workshop,” he added. Meanwhile, Programme Manager of the GCOPD Ganesh Singh spoke about some of the skills participants are acquiring during the three-day programme, including CV writing.
“So, what we’ve done with this programme, funded by ExxonMobil, is to teach blind persons to use their white canes, to use computers with special software, to use their smartphones, to navigate their homes, and also to use public transport, among other independent living skills,” he explained. He further noted that the programme goes beyond teaching basic skills, as participants are also supported through GCOPD’s pathway to independence initiatives. These include remedial education and a Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) programme supported by the Ministry of Education, as well as a vocational skills training programme backed by the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training.
Singh added that once participants acquire independent living skills, they are then able to transition into other programmes that prepare them for the world of work. He explained that the purpose of the current training is to equip participants with the skills needed to apply for jobs, perform well in interviews and operate at a professional level in the workplace. Since the commencement of the Orientation and Mobility Programme in 2022, approximately 800 persons who are blind and visually impaired have been taught independent living skills, including how to use the “white cane”.
Additionally, 500 white canes will be distributed through the programme. Also speaking at the event was the socio-economic manager of ExxonMobil Guyana, Lorna Carlson, who highlighted the company’s commitment to the project and underscored the importance of the partnership.
“This is the second cohort of this job preparedness workshop. At ExxonMobil, we are committed to making a strong impact on the workforce. It is important to use these opportunities to extend support to other groups, so providing this learning experience is especially meaningful,” she said.