UG-led construction training programme launched at Tain Campus

– aims to upskill Region 6 workforce, target school dropouts

A University of Guyana (UG)-led construction training programme aimed at upskilling the Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) workforce, while creating new opportunities for school dropouts and grassroots workers, was officially launched at the Tain Campus, as part of wider Government efforts to ensure Guyanese are equipped with the skills needed to participate meaningfully in the country’s rapidly expanding construction sector. The programme, being delivered by UG in partnership with the National Council of Construction Registrars (NCCR), is structured as a modular, stackable initiative covering several areas within construction sciences. It is designed to cater to contractors, tradesmen and workers already active in the sector, as well as individuals seeking to formalise skills they may already be practising or those looking to enter construction for the first time. Speaking with this publication, Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed explained that the programme was intentionally designed to be inclusive, with no university-level entry requirement, allowing persons who may have left the formal education system early to participate. “One of the things that is wonderful about it is that you do not have to have a university-level entry. You could come in with nothing… we have remedial work, persons standing by you to help you up to that level so that you can complete,” she said. Each component of the programme comprises approximately 90 hours of training and can be completed within six weeks to two months, depending on the pace of participants. Upon completion, graduates will receive multiple certifications, including credentials from UG and the NCCR, as well as an internationally recognised Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Certificate.
Professor Paloma noted that the certification is portable internationally and, at present, is being offered free of cost through Government support. “So you get a certificate from UG, you get a certificate from NCCR, which is portable around the world, and you get an Occupational Health and Safety international Certificate as well… and it’s, for the moment, free, supported by the Government of Guyana,” she said. In an invited comment, Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) Dr Ritesh Tularam described the programme as timely and critical, particularly for Region Six, where construction activity has accelerated alongside national development. “This programme is very, very significant… not only for Region Six, but by extension, what is the Government’s position as it relates to upskilling, reskilling and ensuring that we have persons who possess the requisite skills and competencies to make a significant contribution to the construction sector,” Dr Tularam said. He noted that many individuals are already practising construction trades without formal certification, limiting their employability and earning potential. “With a certification, it means that your employability rate becomes higher. It means you can earn more significantly,” he added. Dr Tularam further emphasised that the programme supports the national development vision by targeting people at the grassroots level, including those who may not have completed secondary school but possess the desire to contribute productively. “This programme, it is critical. It is timely, and it is aligned with what is the national vision as it relates to ensuring that we are having people who possess the requisite skills,” he said. The short duration of the training – six weeks or 90 hours, depending on the student, combined with internationally recognised certification, positions the initiative as a practical pathway for Region Six residents to benefit directly from Guyana’s ongoing construction expansion while strengthening the local labour force to meet present and future demand.