The government is stepping up efforts to steer more young Guyanese towards science, technology and technical careers as the country’s natural resources sector continues to grow.
Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat said greater emphasis must be placed on preparing young people to fill future positions in oil and gas, mining and forestry, particularly as those industries become more specialised and technologically driven.
Bharrat said the country will need a larger pool of technically trained Guyanese if nationals are to take on increasingly complex roles and eventually move into senior and leadership positions.
He said many secondary school students continue to gravitate towards subjects such as business, accounting and the arts, while science and technical disciplines are often perceived as more difficult.
Bharrat warned that failing to address that trend could create a skills gap in the years ahead.
“If we don’t address this problem now, we won’t have much young people who are qualified to work in the natural resources sector moving forward,” he said.
The minister said plans are being made to take the message directly into secondary schools, where students will be exposed to the range of career opportunities available across the natural resources sector.
The initiative is expected to focus on raising awareness of jobs that require qualifications in science, technology and technical fields, while also encouraging students to begin preparing for those careers at an earlier stage.
Bharrat, who previously worked in education, said his background has reinforced the importance of introducing young people to career possibilities before they leave school. He said the aim goes beyond simply placing more Guyanese into jobs.
According to the minister, the broader objective is to build a skilled local workforce capable of supporting the country’s long-term development and taking on greater responsibility as the natural resources sector expands.
“I would like to see a lot more young people coming into the sector,” Bharrat said, adding that young Guyanese should pursue the education, training and certification needed to qualify for both employment and leadership opportunities.
