Future pilots to get head start with cadet training

Youth aspiring to become pilots are set to benefit from the launch of the Air Transport Cadets’ Next Generation of Aviation Professionals programme on Tuesday, as the nation’s aviation sector expands.

The initiative was launched by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), International Air Cadet Training Ltd (IACT), Air Cadets Guyana, and the University of Guyana, and forms part of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Plus (NGAP+) Programme.

Chief Executive Officer of IACT, Malcolm Evans, said the programme will become the first air cadet organisation in CARICOM and South America to operationalise the latest ICAO NGAP+ resolutions.

“What we want to do is to come and exchange knowledge and skills to enable your citizens to deliver the program for your young people. For 11- to 16-year-olds, it operates as an extracurricular activity with a focus on core aviation subjects, with science, technology, engineering, mathematics, which will be in direct support of the many changes that are going on in your own education system. From 16 onwards, the program will integrate both vocational and professional training,” he said.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali, noting that Guyana’s aviation sector is cleared for takeoff, said the initiative represents a critical investment in the country’s future, as young people face unprecedented opportunities.

The president also announced plans to launch a premier aviation school in Guyana.

“In collaboration with the private sector, we are establishing a premier aviation sector and school right here in Guyana. The institution will have one mission, to train and certify Guyanese talent across all areas of aviation, from the cockpit to the control tower, the hangar floor to the boarding. This school will have the capability to train and certify our pilots domestically. Our aspiring pilots will board their wings right here in Guyana,” he noted.

Dr. Ali added that Guyana’s aviation sector is “cleared for takeoff,” with rising international traffic, expanding domestic routes, and an economic strategy rooted in inclusive development.

“For those at the top of their technical work who seek a profession built on precision, challenge, and skill, I urge you to consider a career in the local aviation sector. This dynamic sector is poised for an unprecedented ascent, offering future career skills will not only build a prosperous life for you, but will also be a critical engine powering our nation’s connectivity and development. But we are not building an industry on potential alone. We are building infrastructure to match our ambition,” Dr. Ali said.

He noted that as hinterland and coastal communities become more connected, demand will grow for pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, airport managers, logistics specialists, and regulatory personnel.

The president said the programme’s benefits will extend beyond Guyana, strengthening capacity across CARICOM.