Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh is urging job seekers to broaden their outlook and consider jobs in the construction and technical trades, which he says continue to offer steady employment and competitive wages amid Guyana’s expanding infrastructure sector.
Speaking during the recent Tain Campus Job Fair, Dr. Singh addressed recent graduates and members of the public, many of whom had completed training in technical fields such as welding and fabrication, refrigeration and air conditioning, electrical installation, and motor vehicle repairs.
“There are many people looking for office jobs, but the reality is that there are better-paying jobs in construction right now,” the Minister said. “Don’t wait necessarily for the perfect job, and don’t believe that because you are waving the certificate, you are guaranteed a job at your perfect employer.”
Further, the Minister advised graduates that while having a certificate is a significant step, employers often prefer applicants who bring both qualifications and some level of hands-on experience.
The job fair, which catered to both graduates and the wider community, featured a range of companies in construction and technical services actively seeking skilled workers. Among them was Brass Aluminium and Cast Iron Foundry Ltd. (BACIF) from Georgetown, where Commercial and Design Superintendent Yolanda Geddes-Kendell said the company currently has over 20 job vacancies.
“We manufacture and fabricate fire hydrants, manhole covers, and more for local and regional industries. We’re actively looking for welders, fitter machinists, and general foundry assistants,” she said.
Rafeek and Sons Construction also highlighted the ongoing demand for workers. Operations Manager Kevin Sukhu explained, “There’s a construction boom across the country. We need masons, carpenters, welders, heavy-duty machinery operators, and even some administrative and engineering staff. There just aren’t enough workers right now.”
Meanwhile, Quality Deliver, a New Amsterdam-based firm that handles both construction and administrative services, attended the fair more to understand the job market than to fill specific roles.
Office Manager Shamira Ramsuchit-David observed a mismatch between job seekers’ interests and available vacancies.
“Most of the people I spoke with are looking for office work,” she noted. “That’s useful feedback. Maybe future job fairs can invite a wider range of exhibitors to reflect those interests, too. But we do have openings in construction for those who are interested.”
Moreover, Dr. Singh emphasised that technical skills are not just needed in the private sector. Agencies like the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and the Ministries of Health and Education are also recruiting skilled workers.
