Technical students across Guyana will benefit from expanded work placements, specialised internships and accredited aviation training following two notable agreements signed by the Ministry of Education.
The partnerships pair the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) with Farfan & Mendes, while connecting the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) with the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School (AWHWAES) and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).
Under the first agreement, Farfan & Mendes will offer GITC students work placements, safety gear, tools and specialised training sessions starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Students on placement will receive insurance coverage and a daily stipend, five days a week.
Explaining the rationale, Deputy Chief Education Officer for Technical Education, Dr Ritesh Tularam, said private sector partnerships are vital to give trainees direct access to “modern facilities, technologies, methodologies and hands-on experiences that complement their institutional training.”
Farfan & Mendes Human Resources Manager, Glivann Cameron, welcomed the collaboration, noting the firm’s long-standing connection with technical schools. “We have seen first-hand the quality of graduates entering the workforce, with some former technical institute students remaining in our employment for as long as 20 years,” Ms Cameron said.
The second deal establishes a 12-month aircraft maintenance foundation program leading to a Level 1 Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ). Training will take place at the AWHWAES campus in Ogle and ETI satellite sites in Essequibo, with BIT funding AWHWAES to supply tools, equipment and study materials.
“The Ministry of Education continues to ensure that these kinds of partnerships and collaborations are realisable,” Dr Tularam said, noting that the aim is to ensure students have access to training that prepares them for employment.
