The Labour Ministry has taken a major step toward decentralising technical education in Guyana with the launch of the Aircraft Maintenance Foundation Skills Programme in Region Two.
The programme, officially opened by Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton on Friday, at the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI), is being offered outside its main campus at Ogle for the first time.
This milestone initiative is a collaboration between the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the Art Williams & Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School (AWHWAES) and will run for nine months.
It is aligned with CVQ Level 1 standards, providing students with regionally recognised certification under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME)—qualifying them for work across the Caribbean.
Minister Hamilton, in his keynote address, called the programme a game-changer for young people in Region Two.
“This is a transformative moment for the region and the country. It reflects our government’s mission to take opportunities to the people and invest in youth at the community level,” he said.
He urged the first batch of 20 students to take the training seriously, emphasising the importance of punctuality, discipline, and commitment. He shared that the idea for the initiative emerged after visiting the aviation school at Ogle in 2022, where he discussed with officials the need to expand access to aviation education across Guyana.
Richard Maughn, CEO of BIT, highlighted the impact of the programme in supporting BIT’s broader goal of providing demand-driven, competency-based training.
Nalini Chanderban, General Manager of AWHWAES, underscored the importance of real-world training and global standards.
“Success in aviation depends on discipline, safety, and technical excellence. This programme delivers all of that, and more, right here in Essequibo,” she said.
She described the course as a strategic investment in the country’s aviation future.
Students will gain hands-on experience in aircraft maintenance, ground operations, safety protocols, technical communication, and more—equipping them to thrive in a fast-evolving industry.
Acting Principal of ETI, Shivnarine Jasoda, expressed gratitude for the collaboration and reiterated the institute’s commitment to supporting such impactful programmes.
