Mining school officially accredited

The Guyana Mining School & Training Centre Inc. (GMSTCI) has received accreditation for its Bartica Training Facility from the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), authorising it to operate as a certified vocational institution and deliver nationally approved technical and vocational education and training programmes.
The accreditation, issued through the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission and valid until Feb. 12, 2028, marks the first time a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) certificate has been awarded to Guyana’s mining sector, GMSTCI said.
The Bartica facility is the institution’s first accredited TVET centre and places the town at the centre of efforts to formalise skills training in the industry. GMSTCI said it is preparing to expand its accredited training framework to Linden to serve mining communities in Region Ten.
The Bartica centre forms part of a broader capacity-building initiative developed in partnership with large-scale gold producers. GMSTCI has signed memoranda of understanding with AGM Inc., G Mining Ventures and G2 Goldfields to support workforce development and strengthen industry standards.
Programmes delivered at the Bartica facility will focus on practical, field-ready skills, including mineral prospecting, map reading, mine safety and occupational safety and health. Training will cover the use of GPS and compass tools, hazard identification, drill and trench alignment and environmental responsibility, GMSTCI said.
The accreditation aligns with the Ministry of Natural Resources’ goal of improving technical standards as mining operations become more complex. Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat has said the sector requires a more skilled and safety-conscious workforce, with the Bartica programmes providing a pathway to nationally and regionally recognised Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) certification.
GMSTCI said the Linden expansion would strengthen access to technical education in one of the country’s key mining regions and reflects its long-term strategy to build a skilled workforce for the extractive industries.