GTTCI celebrates second graduation of trainee technicians

…as 24 Guyanese equipped to contribute to Guyana’s booming oil and gas sector

The Guyana Technical Training College Inc (GTTCI) at Port Mourant marked a milestone on Friday when it hosted its second graduation ceremony for trainee technicians, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to developing a locally skilled workforce for Guyana’s thriving energy sector.
The latest cohort, consisting of 33 trainees, recently completed the final phase of an 18-month training programme. They received their certification following six months of intensive hands-on instruction at GTTCI’s state-of-the-art Facility Simulator (FacTor) unit at Port Mourant, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
The GTTCI initiative, backed by the Government of Guyana alongside ExxonMobil, SBM Offshore, Hess, CNOOC, and other partners, aims to foster a fully Guyanese-led offshore workforce.

With plans underway to relocate all training—from theoretical segments to on-the-job simulator exercises—to Guyana by October, national capacity-building is poised to reach a new level. A diverse group encompassing mechanical, electrical, production, instrumentation and cargo technician disciplines. These students were expertly guided by experienced instructors and expatriate mentors throughout their training.
Director of GTTCI Professor Clement Sankat pointed out that the hands-on training received prepares them thoroughly for technical roles onboard offshore vessels.
General Manager of SBM Offshore Guyana, Martin Cheong, underscored the pivotal role of education and training in securing Guyana’s future in the energy industry.
“Investing in education and training lays the foundation for long-term development and meaningful progress,” he affirmed.
The feature address was delivered by Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh, who commended the trainees for being selected from over 600 applicants and encouraged them to leverage their elite training to make a significant impact in Guyana’s energy sector. The best graduating student was Krystal Trim, a production technician in the cohort. The valedictorian referred to the training as being comprehensive.
“The knowledge we have gained here goes beyond technical skills… we also learned perseverance, professionalism and the power of collaboration.”
Meanwhile, starting in October, the full 18-month curriculum—currently split between Canada (12 months) and Guyana (6 months)—will be conducted entirely within GTTCI’s Port Mourant campus.
The institution is expanding its infrastructure, adding classrooms, labs and administrative spaces, with completion expected by the third quarter of 2026.
Professor Sankat noted that GTTCI is on track to earn international accreditation, ensuring that its graduates are recognised globally and will continue diversifying programmes to include construction and project management disciplines.
This second graduation marks not just another ceremony but a significant step in Guyana’s journey toward self-reliance in technical capacity.
As graduates step into roles on Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, GTTCI’s programme serves as both a springboard for fulfilling careers and a blueprint for long-term national development.