PRESS RELEASE — GEORGETOWN, Guyana – July 15, 2025: Another step toward strengthening technical and vocational education and training and workplace safety was made with the sod-turning for the construction of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Centre of Excellence at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI).
This state-of-the-art OSH Centre is made possible through the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI), Ministry of Education (MoE), Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) and Learn Corp International (LCI) collaboration. The Centre will serve as the official host of the Level Three Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) in Occupational Safety and Health Programme and will also serve as a national and regional training hub dedicated to elevating occupational safety and health (OSH) standards.
Delivering the keynote address, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, underscored the importance of certification, especially for individuals aspiring to enter the energy and industrial sectors.
“This Centre of Excellence, will lead Guyana’s efforts in achieving this quantum leap as it relates to OSH. It represents an extremely important investment in getting us in the shortest possible time to where we need to get nationally,” Dr. Ashni Singh stated.
In his remarks, President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Alistair Routledge, stated, “Today’s sod turning continues to lay the foundation for growing and fostering the safety culture into the workforce of every industry, because it’s too important to leave it to chance – safety is not about chance.”
Mr. Phil Doody, President and Chief Executive Officer of Learn Corp International, highlighted the broader significance and industry impact of the Centre, noting that it will deliver programmes customised to meet the needs of Guyana’s modern economy. He emphasised the intended ripple effect of the investment in the centre to households, communities, and industry, where safety is recognised as a national minimum standard.
The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Centre of Excellence builds on the progress made through the broader TVET Upgrade Project, which began in 2019. This long-term initiative focuses on revitalising Guyana’s technical institutes by aligning training with industry needs, creating inclusive access to post-secondary pathways, and strengthening local content by preparing Guyanese for opportunities.
Beyond its physical infrastructure, the Centre is positioned to further shape a national safety culture by producing graduates who are not only trained to a high standard but are also equipped to become champions of safe practices throughout Guyana and the region.
This investment reflects what is possible when public and private sector entities collaborate for a shared purpose and underscores the importance of strategic investment in people and systems to create meaningful, lasting change. With safety at the forefront, GGI will continue to support building a future where every Guyanese worker is not only skilled but also protected.
Established as a US$100 million investment by the Stabroek Block Co-venturers – ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess Guyana Exploration Limited, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited – GGI remains committed to Guyana’s development beyond its investment in the Oil and Gas Sector.
