Technical students in Guyana are set to benefit from expanded work placements, specialised training and accredited aviation programmes following two agreements signed by the Ministry of Education.
According to the ministry, the partnerships bring together the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) and Farfan & Mendes.
At the same time, a second agreement connects 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 provide GITC students with work placements, safety gear, tools, and specialised training sessions starting in the 2026-2027 school year.
Students participating in the placements will work for five days a week and will receive insurance coverage and a daily stipend.
Deputy Chief Education Officer for Technical Education, Dr Ritesh Tularam, said partnerships with the private sector are critical to ensuring students gain practical experience alongside their classroom training.
He said the collaborations 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 partnership, highlighting the company’s long-standing relationship with technical education institutions.
“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,” Cameron said.
Meanwhile, the second agreement will establish a 12-month aircraft maintenance foundation programme leading to a Level 1 Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ).
Training will be conducted at the AWHWAES campus in Ogle and at ETI satellite sites in Essequibo, expanding access to aviation-related technical training beyond the capital.
Under the arrangement, BIT will fund AWHWAES to provide the necessary tools, equipment and study materials for the programme.
The Ministry of Education will continue to support partnerships that expand opportunities for students and ensure technical training is closely aligned with the needs of the labour market.