Fourth Batch of Guyanese Trainees Complete Phase One of SBM Offshore Programme in Canada

A new cohort of 20 Guyanese trainees has successfully completed the first phase of SBM Offshore Guyana’s Trainee Technician Programme at LearnCorp International (LCI), housed at Cape Breton University in Canada. The group was honoured at a ceremony on August 22, marking a significant step in their journey toward becoming fully certified offshore technicians for Guyana’s growing oil and gas industry.

Over the past year, the trainees underwent rigorous technical instruction in Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, and Production disciplines, preparing them to support operations on the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels active in Guyana’s offshore petroleum sector.

The graduates will now move on to phase two of their training, which will take place at the Facility Simulator (FacTor) Unit of the Guyana Technical Training College Incorporated (GTTCI) in Port Mourant, Berbice—a facility recently upgraded to accommodate local training.

During the ceremony, David C. Dingwall, President and Vice-Chancellor of Cape Breton University, urged the trainees to embrace their future roles with purpose:

“As you leave here today, I encourage you to carry with you a spirit of exploration and leadership. The world needs your ideas, your courage and your commitment,” he said.

Shaun Prince, SBM Offshore Guyana’s Human Resources Manager, applauded the graduates and highlighted the significance of the programme in nation-building:

“For SBM Offshore Guyana, this milestone represents progress in our commitment to developing a local workforce, building national capacity and ensuring Guyanese are a part of the heart of our sector’s growth,” he noted.
“You are proof that when we invest in people, we create lasting value—not only at SBM Offshore Guyana, but for communities, families and our country.”

The Trainee Technician Programme, launched in 2020, was designed to align with the goals of the Local Content Act (2021) by ensuring more Guyanese are trained and qualified for technical roles in the oil and gas industry. Safety remains a central pillar of the training.

Matthew Correia, Training Analyst on the FPSO Prosperity, explained:

“At SBM Offshore, we hold this value close, protecting lives by fostering a culture that blends both safety and competence… Through continuous training and development, we ensure that the people are equipped to uphold this standard every day.”

Phil Doody, President of LearnCorp International, reminded graduates that long-term success depends not just on knowledge, but on the character they bring to the workplace:

“While academic performance is very important, it is the attitude that each of you bring to the workplace every day that will shape your future. The person with the top marks has no more guarantee to be the first Guyanese Offshore Installation Manager than the person who finished last.”

This latest batch is the final group to receive overseas training under the programme, as future cohorts will now complete the full training cycle locally at GTTCI—thanks to recent investments in simulation and instruction equipment.

The programme is one of several strategic initiatives led by SBM Offshore Guyana to empower young Guyanese and expand national capacity within the energy sector—cementing a foundation for local ownership, growth, and participation in Guyana’s oil and gas economy