By Shikema Dey
Recruiters at Excel Guyana say the ideal candidate for Guyana’s energy sector is no longer defined by academic qualifications alone.
As the country’s oil and gas industry expands, companies are looking more closely at practical training, initiative, presentation, confidence and the ability to communicate clearly. Technical qualifications still matter, but recruiters say the right attitude and job ready skills must support those qualifications.
The conversation centred on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — commonly referred to as STEM — and how those disciplines connect to the country’s fast growing oil and gas industry and its supporting sectors.
That guidance came from Vice President of Recruitment Services at Excel Guyana, Ewan Shanks, and Senior Recruiter and Researcher Sonia Marques during a discussion with Energy Magazine Inc. on the evolving STEM landscape in Guyana and the realities employers face while hiring for energy related roles.
Shanks said one of the biggest challenges remains experience.
“Most of the positions, the technical positions, they want 10 years plus specific tactical skills,” he explained. But Guyana’s oil and gas sector is still relatively young. That reality has made hiring more difficult. Many companies have had to recruit from overseas to fill specialised positions. At the same time, Shanks said mentoring programmes are becoming more common as operators try to build local capacity for the future.
The recruiters said the issue is not necessarily a lack of interest from young Guyanese. The challenge is that many graduates do not yet match what employers immediately need on the job. Marques said that gap appears across several industries tied to energy development, including finance, engineering and heavy equipment operations.
“When they do have the necessary qualifications, sometimes they do not have the necessary experience,” she said.
Accounting is one area where companies struggle to find suitably qualified candidates, she said. Technical positions present similar difficulties, particularly where certifications are required.
“It’s a barrier for us, because we cannot proceed with a candidate if they do not have the relevant qualifications or the necessary training,” Marques explained.
Excel Guyana’s guidance to students and young professionals is direct. Preparation should begin long before graduation. Shanks reflected on his own education, saying strong foundations in chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics can provide students with an advantage when pursuing university level studies and technical careers.
Marques said initiative can separate one candidate from another. She recalled meeting a mechanic who independently pursued oil and gas safety courses to improve his chances of entering the sector.
“He just went on his own, and he did these trainings to offer his chance to get into the gas sector,” she said. Both recruiters said employers pay close attention to candidates who actively seek industry related training before applying for jobs.
“If companies see on your resume that you have taken the initiative to go to these oil and gas training centers, I think they would be more interested in your resume,” Shanks said.
That type of candidate, they said, sends a clear signal to employers. It shows interest in the industry. It also shows that the applicant understands the need to build practical skills, not just rely on a degree.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of professionalism and emotional intelligence during interviews. Shanks said presentation matters immediately when a candidate enters a room.
“It’s all in physical presentation,” he said, while emphasising confidence, eye contact and clear communication. Marques said preparation often reveals how serious a candidate is about a role.
“You come prepared, you know everything about the company,” she said, adding that employers notice candidates who research businesses beforehand and show genuine enthusiasm for a career path instead of simply looking for any available job.
Excel Guyana’s recruiters said the strongest candidates are those who combine qualifications with initiative. They understand the sector they are trying to enter. They pursue training early. They present themselves well. They communicate clearly. They show that they are prepared to learn.
Looking ahead, both recruiters expect training and mentorship to play a larger role as Guyana’s workforce evolves alongside the country’s energy expansion and broader industrial growth.
Shanks said international expertise still fills many gaps, particularly from countries with decades of oil and gas experience, such as Trinidad and Tobago. However, he believes Guyana must continue strengthening local participation while maintaining realistic expectations about how quickly the workforce can develop.
Marques said long term success will depend on building skills earlier in the education system.
Look out for our upcoming STEM edition where we discuss some of the steps Guyana has been taking to support the development of STEM skills. This special edition also offers valuable advice for young Guyanese seeking jobs in the oil and gas industry.
