The inaugural National Youth Skills Forum and Skill Search Expo opened on Wednesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) in Liliendaal.
The event brought together hundreds of young people, educators, government agencies and the private sector to strengthen workforce readiness and skills development.
The initiative is organised by the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT). It allows participants to engage policymakers and training institutions while exploring career opportunities in Guyana’s rapidly growing economy.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, urged young people to position themselves to benefit from the country’s unprecedented economic growth.
“The jobs are being created more rapidly than we are able to produce people with the skills required to take them up. That challenge is also a tremendous opportunity for every young person in Guyana to prepare themselves with the right skills,” Dr Singh said.
He encouraged participants to view the country’s investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, mining, agriculture and other productive sectors as opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship.
He stressed that acquiring the right skills will be key to their success.
He said, “You live in one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. It means that more and more opportunities are being created for you, and these are the opportunities for you to seize.”
Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith highlighted the government’s continued investment in education, ensuring every Guyanese is prepared for the evolving labour market.
He added that BIT has expanded training in emerging fields, including renewable energy and electric vehicle maintenance, while creating greater opportunities for women and hinterland communities to access technical training.
“Through the Board of Industrial Training, we continue to expand apprenticeship opportunities, strengthen technical and vocational education and training, and ensure that our programmes are aligned with the practical skills being demanded by today’s labour market…,” Minister Griffith said.
Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Steven Jacobs encouraged participants to embrace technical and vocational education, stressing that practical skills are no longer a secondary option but an important pathway to career success.
BIT’s Chairperson Cathy Smith lamented that Guyana is experiencing a once-in-a-generation transformation and encouraged young people to prepare themselves for the opportunities ahead.
Meanwhile, BIT’s Chief Executive Officer Richard Maughn highlighted the agency’s continued expansion of training programmes to meet industry demand.
The National Youth Skills Forum also featured panel discussions, youth engagement sessions and a skills search expo.