The Critchlow Labour College on Thursday morning commenced its inaugural training sessions on oil and gas in its brand new wing on Wolford Avenue, Georgetown.
Citing the importance of the two-day training in the of oil and gas field, Principal of the institution, Ivor English, welcomed the 23 participants, who were drawn from Regions Three, Four, Five, Six and Ten.
English said the training comes at a special time in the College’s history, since the institution is in its 50th year.
“After several months of discussions and negotiations, we are finally able to sign a memorandum of understanding so th
Participants of the inaugural oil and gas training
at this programme can be put into operation.
So the end product is the establishment of a centre for oil and gas technical and vocational training,” the Principal explained.
He added that persons attending courses in this field would be certified with an internationally recognized certificate issued by the Energy Institute.
The Principal told Guyana Times that the training is being funded by the College as well as by Kaizen Environmental Services, Apollo Global Vision, and the Energy Institute of Trinidad & Tobago.
He expressed hope that other businesses would come on board to sponsor the students, since that would mean giving back to the country. The Principal noted that about $140,000 are being expended on each of the students in the programme.
Over the two-day training, participants will be schooled in 12 different areas, some of which include the history of oil and gas and oil refining, gas processing, and downstream industries. Facilitating the sessions will
(From right) Principal of Critchlow Labour College, Ivor Engish; Chairman of the Energy Institute, Kevin Durham; and Secretary on the Board of Governance, Lincoln Lewis
be Kevin Durham, Chairman
of the Trinidad institution.
The Principal charged the participants to be attentive as they engage in the educative sessions, which seek to provide them with the necessary skills in the natural resource field.
While reflecting on the establishment of the college, English said its primary objectives are to create opportunities to improve the quality of the labour force through training and education, as well as to give ordinary Guyanese an opportunity to pursue further education at a tertiary level.
He said although these objectives have been successfully achieved over the years, the College recognises a “compelling need” to offer programmes that are more relevant to the developmental needs of the people, hence the launch of this new training.
Lincoln Lewis, Secretary on the Board of Governance, said the recent discoveries have prompted discussions and have undoubtedly planted curiosity in the minds of the Guyanese men and women, and so the Critchlow Labour College is delighted to be offering training on this vivid subject.
