GTT pumps $24M into Oil & Gas Chamber to train young Guyanese 

Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has injected $24M into the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) to fuel a programme that will see scores of Guyanese at secondary and tertiary educational institutions benefiting training in the field of Oil and Gas.
GTT, in a statement, said the one-year programme forms part of its contribution towards increasing the pool of local talent and resources in Oil and Gas Industry.
“Throughout 2022, students stand to benefit from Oil and Gas training on a weekly basis. This engagement provides exposure to school aged youth to the evolving Oil and Gas industry in Guyana while encouraging growth and drive passion for careers in Oil and Gas,” the telecommunications giant said.
GTT’s CEO Damian Blackburn said the multi-million-dollar initiative will help young Guyanese to better position themselves to capitalize on the opportunities within the Oil and Gas Industry.
“We believe that the students impacted will be able to positively contribute to the industry through the implementation of this career-building programme within the oil and gas industry”, Blackburn said.
He added: “The contributions of Guyanese to this sector is pivotal in inspiring interests into the future.”
The initial discovery of commercial quantities of petroleum and subsequent recorded additional oil finds exceeding 10 billion barrels of recoverable oil and gas has increased global attention on Guyana.
The company said the new oil and gas economy presents an opportunity for massive transformation in the country.  “A key priority area is the training of locals to participate in this new sector. Guyana with its nascent experience in petroleum production recognizes retraining and retooling citizens as critical to maximize their participation,” it reasoned.
It said rapid development in Guyana will provide an opportunity for improved services and standard of living for all Guyanese. “As citizens become part of their development, they stand to benefit immensely from the revenues of oil and gas. GTT supports these initiatives to build the local talent as a long-time contributor to Guyana’s development,” the company said.