- Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Hon. Dr Ashni Singh lauds SBM Offshore Guyana’s efforts to build local content.
- The 32 Guyanese trainees will soon progress to another leg of training offshore on the Guyana FPSO fleet.
Another batch of SBM Offshore Guyana’s Trainee Technicians have completed training at the Facility Simulator (FacTor) Unit of the Guyana Technical Training College Incorporated (GTTCI). They were honoured during a ceremony at the GTTCI on July 11 in Port Mourant, Berbice, where the facility is located. The trainees underwent six months of practical skills training in the Instrumentation, Production, Electrical, Cargo and Mechanical disciplines at FacTor. During this period, they received comprehensive hands-on training in their various disciplines, further expanding their knowledge base and competence to support offshore operations.
The thirty-two Guyanese form the third cohort of SBM Offshore Guyana’s Trainee Technician Programme and the second batch of students to receive training at the GTTCI. They will soon progress to the next stage of training onboard the fleet of Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels offshore Guyana, where they will undergo another immersive round of training in their respective fields.
Martin Cheong, General Manager of SBM Offshore Guyana underscored the company’s dedication to the development of local content, noting the critical role of training in this process.
“We firmly believe that investing in education and training lays the foundation for long-term development and meaningful progress,” he said.
Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, emphasised that investing in locals is vital for enhanced national development.
“It’s not just about the cash flow aspect of the operations that’s important to the country, but about developing opportunities for people, businesses and communities,” he said.
Professor Clement Sankat, Director of the GTTCI, highlighted the critical role of FacTor in their journey, stating, “You have embarked on a journey that can make you technologists or engineers, and as an engineer myself, FacTor is one of the best pathways to become a talented engineer.”
Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during his keynote commended SBM Offshore Guyana for its local content commitments and commended the graduates on their perseverance, noting, “The main fact that you competed through the multiple rounds of selection to get in the class, is in itself, a tribute to your ability, talent and the strength of your candidacy.”
Krystal Trim, valedictorian, in her charge to her fellow graduates, emphasised the group’s future impact, stating, “We leave here to be a part of a tradition of excellence. The lessons we’ve learned will be useful whether we are troubleshooting complex systems, managing risks, or leading safety initiatives. This isn’t the end, it’s just the launch.”
FacTor was commissioned in 2024 and was established via a collaborative effort with the Government of Guyana and Stabroek Block co-venturers, ExxonMobil Guyana, Hess and CNOOC, along with support from SBM Offshore Guyana. The facility is a crucial element of SBM Offshore Guyana’s local content commitment and ensures Guyanese are equipped with the knowledge required to serve the oil and gas industry. The Trainee Technician Programme is one of several initiatives executed by SBM Offshore Guyana that contributes to the development of Guyanese.
