Guyana launches Caricom’s 1st air transport cadet programme

…“our skies are open for business” – Pres Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday sent express confidence as he launched the Guyana Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Programme, declaring that “the runway of opportunity is clear” and that Guyana’s skies are officially open for business.

The event marked a historic moment for the region, with Guyana rolling out CARICOM’s first-ever Air Transport Cadet Programme, targeting students ages 11 to 16 through aviation-focused extracurricular activities, and offering vocational and professional training for those 16 and older.
Addressing the country’s first cohort of cadets, the president said the initiative is a major investment in the people who will shape the future of the aviation sector, one he described as “not just bright, but dazzling.”
“Let us send a clear signal to the nation and to the world. Guyana is open for business, and our skies are open for growth. We have the vision, are building the infrastructure, and now, with this initiative, we are training our people. The pre-flight checks are complete. All systems are set to go. The runway of opportunity is clear and long.”
Emphasising the significance of the programme’s first recruits, he reminded the cadets that the journey ahead will require discipline, precision, and consistency.
“In aviation, there is no room for almost – there is only correct; this rigour is what makes the profession noble. You’re not entering a stagnant industry; you’re catching the wave of its greatest growth. You’re training for careers that will define Guyana’s connectivity for decades.”

He added, “Who knows, one day you’ll be the captains who fly over rainforests, the engineers who maintain our fleet, the controllers who guide our national airspace safely into a new era. You’re the next generation, and we’re counting on you. Aim high – your nation believes in you.”
Meanwhile, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt Col (ret’d) Egbert Field, A A, said the launch held deep personal meaning.
He said the launch of the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Programme was deeply meaningful to him, both professionally and personally. Drawing from his decades of experience as a pilot, aviation entrepreneur, and national security advisor, he stressed the critical need for a stronger, well-prepared aviation workforce.
“Aviation is not just a profession in our household; it is a way of life, a legacy, and a profound responsibility,” he added. “I have seen how aviation connects people, moves resources, supports national emergencies, and changes lives across Guyana’s interior. There has never been a more important time to build Guyana’s aviation workforce.”
He underscored that human capital is national security, urging young people to take the opportunity seriously.
He noted that when someone takes responsibility for a cockpit, an air traffic tower, a maintenance hangar, or a safety system, they are in fact serving their country – protecting lives, connecting remote communities, and carrying the dignity of Guyana’s flag across the world.
Field also called on the private sector, including airlines, logistics companies, aviation service providers, and oil and gas operators, to support NGAP through internships, scholarships, simulator access, and apprenticeship opportunities.