The St. Ignatius Practical Instruction Department (PID) in Lethem, Region Nine, was officially commissioned on Friday, marking a significant step towards improving access to technical and vocational education in hinterland communities across Guyana.
The centre was established under the Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project (GSDEP), funded through a US$11.7 million loan from the Caribbean Development Bank, with support from the government.
The project forms part of a broader national strategy to enhance Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), through improved infrastructure, modern equipment, and strengthened instructor capacity to deliver high-quality, industry-relevant programmes, a release said.
The newly commissioned facility in Lethem will offer Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) Level 1 and Level 2 certification in five priority sectors: tourism and hospitality, construction, information and communication technology, agriculture, and business.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, delivering the feature address at the ceremony, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the TVET sector in response to growing demand for skilled labour.
“We recognise that there is a need for faster and more qualitative upskilling,” the President stated. “That is why we are investing in the construction of a technical college at Port Mourant, which will become the country’s main incubator of skills.”
Dr Ali also said the government’s goal is not only to build a skilled national workforce, but to equip citizens with globally relevant capabilities.
“Once you obtain basic certifications in areas such as welding, machine operations, hospitality and culinary arts, we will facilitate your transition to more advanced training in world-class hospitality institutions and oil and gas facilities, thereby enhancing the quality and global relevance of your services,” he noted.
The President further addressed the shifting cultural perception of vocational education.
“Many people prefer the more practical approach to life. Practical Instruction Centres and technical education do not represent diminished education,” he affirmed. “We came up in a system where the value of technical training was underestimated. However, technical education offers a practical orientation to meet the current and future needs of the country, the global economy, and the workforce.”
According to government figures, Region Nine now has 263 trained teachers, with another 425 currently in training. Eight new primary schools, eight secondary schools, and 22 nursery schools have also been constructed in the region.
The St. Ignatius PID is equipped to provide hands-on training in areas including commercial food preparation, furniture making, electrical installation, crop production, general office administration, and data operations. These programmes are aimed at preparing students for employment, further education, or entrepreneurship, offering certification that is both regionally recognised and market-driven.
The facility includes a commercial kitchen, a furniture workshop, an ICT lab, and a fully equipped electrical installation room.
An additional $87,038,505.74 was spent on nearly 400 pieces of specialised equipment, including blast freezers, band saws, desktop computers, and smartboards, bringing the total investment in the St. Ignatius PID to $356,475,799.28.
The centre is expected to serve more than 1,000 students, enabling many to access skills training without having to leave their community.
President Ali visits one of the centre’s workshops
