GCOPD and SSYDR Job Preparedness Workshop

On Tuesday March 31, 2026, the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), in partnership with Specialists in Sustained Youth Development and Research (SSYDR) with funding from ExxonMobil Guyana, hosted a one-day job preparation workshop. Forty-two (42) persons who are blind and visually impaired attended from Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10.  The workshop was held in the conference room of the Ministry of Labour. It focused on preparing persons with disabilities to access employment and learn how to succeed in the world of work.

The Honourable Keoma Griffith, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning delivered the feature address during the opening ceremony.  Also delivering remarks were Ms. Lorna Carlson, ExxonMobil Guyana Socioeconomic Manager, Mr. Ganesh Singh, GCOPD Programme Manager and Ms. Magda Griffith, SSYDR Managing Director.

In his remarks, Minister Griffith encouraged the participants to utilise the knowledge gained from the workshop to access employment both in the public and private sectors.  He also reminded the participants that it is their right as a person with a disability to access meaningful employment without discrimination.  He cautioned employers and prospective employers that the Ministry of Labour is prepared to deal with reports of discrimination of persons with disabilities in the workplace.

In her remarks, Ms. Carlson emphasized ExxonMobil Guyana’s commitment to making a positive and lasting impact in communities where the company operates. “It is especially important to us that these opportunities extend to vulnerable groups, because they too have tremendous contributions to make towards Guyana’s growth and development,” she said. Ms. Carlson concluded by expressing pride in the dedication and progress demonstration by Mr. Singh and team and thanked SSYDR for their continued commitment to job readiness preparation.

While addressing the participants, Mr. Singh highlighted the impact of GCOPD’s Orientation and Mobility Programme on the lives of many persons who are blind and visually impaired and how it has facilitated their independence across Guyana.  He also encouraged participants to access the numerous opportunities available to persons with disabilities in a developing Guyana, so that they can work towards financial independence.

Ms. Griffith from SSYDR  in her remarks implored the participants to access the numerous opportunities available to them in a developing Guyana.  She also highlighted to the participants that they must equip themselves with the skills and knowledge to access these opportunities.

During the workshop, participants took part in interactive training sessions.   They learned to write a curriculum vitae and cover letter, prepare for and handle a job interview, and build interpersonal relationships in the workplace, among other important skills needed for job readiness.

The participants of the workshop were all beneficiaries of the GCOPD ExxonMobil funded Orientation and Mobility Programme.  Approximately 800 persons who are blind and visually impaired were taught independent living skills and how to use the “white cane” since the programme began in 2022..  Additionally, 500 “white canes” will be distributed through the programme.