Over 100 courses launched to upskill public servants

Attendees at today's launch

The government has launched a national online learning platform offering more than 100 certified courses for public servants, in a move aimed at modernising training and improving service delivery across the public sector.

The Public Service Upskilling Platform, unveiled on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, provides access to courses from international universities and training institutions through a partnership between the Ministry of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, and Coursera — one of the world’s leading online education providers.

The initiative replaces traditional in-person training with a flexible digital learning system that can be accessed via computers, tablets, or smartphones.

Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, said the programme forms part of the government’s broader effort to create a more competent and modern public service that supports national development.

“We cannot build a digital government without a digitally skilled public service. We cannot implement complex national projects without world-class project managers. We cannot be responsive to citizens without first-rate customer service,” Minister Ally said during the launch.

He added that the new platform represents an investment in public servants’ professional growth. “This programme is your new toolkit. It is our investment in you… You can learn anytime, anywhere… We need those skills across the board.”

Public servants can now access courses ranging from introductory language training in Spanish and Mandarin to professional development in project management, customer service, data analysis, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. The ministry said certain certifications will eventually be tied to career advancement and promotions.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, delivering the feature address, said the platform aligns with the government’s goal of restructuring the public service to make it more efficient, technology-enabled, and results-driven.

“What we’re talking about today is an agile, result-driven, accountable public service backed by skilled human capital and technology. That is what we’re building… We are building the best public service and public servants for the future,” the President stated.

He stressed that as Guyana’s economy grows and new sectors develop, public institutions must improve efficiency and reduce bureaucracy. The ministry is also preparing to introduce digital dashboards and internal communication tools to support faster processing and greater transparency within government agencies.

The Public Service Upskilling Platform is now active nationwide, and public servants are encouraged to register through the ministry’s website to begin training.