The Ministry of Education has commissioned a new state-of-the-art Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) facility at Bartica Secondary School in Region Seven, as part of its national strategy to modernise and expand practical skills training.
The $360 million Practical Instruction Department (PID) marks the sixth facility built under the Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project (GSDEP), a joint initiative between the Government of Guyana and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The project aims to strengthen technical education and improve employment outcomes, particularly for young people.
Constructed by KP Thomas and Sons and supervised by CEMCO Engineering, the new facility cost $273 million to build and an additional $87 million was spent on equipment and tools. The GSDEP project is financed through a US$14.04 million partnership comprising a US$11.7 million CDB loan, a US$552,000 grant, and US$1.79 million in counterpart funding from the Government of Guyana.
The Bartica PID is a purpose-built training centre featuring workshops and learning spaces for a wide range of technical disciplines. Facilities include a commercial kitchen for food preparation training, a motor vehicle and small engine repair workshop equipped with hydraulic lifts and digital diagnostic tools, and fully equipped spaces for welding, furniture making, masonry, and plumbing.
The site also includes a rehabilitated smart classroom outfitted with computers, a smartboard, and Starlink internet to support digital learning and blended instruction.
The Ministry of Education has described the facility as part of a broader effort to modernise education delivery by integrating technical and vocational training with traditional academics. The government’s policy direction emphasises student choice, aiming to equip learners with a mix of practical skills and academic knowledge for a dynamic labour market.
Similar TVET facilities have already been established in Regions One, Three, Four, Five, and Nine. Bartica’s commissioning is the latest step in expanding access to skills training across all regions.
The Education Ministry said the initiative reflects Guyana’s commitment to building a more inclusive and workforce-ready education system that prepares students to participate meaningfully in the country’s ongoing development.
