Addressing Skills Capacity in Guyana: The Link to the Cayman Islands

Dr. Robert Robertson, Senior Research Fellow, Commonwealth Institute, University of London and former President and Chief Executive Officer of the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) and Paul Puckerin Dean of Technical and Vocational Training at UCCI were invited participants at a recent skills conclave hosted by the University of Guyana in Georgetown, Guyana. Opening the conclave, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana Dr. Paloma Mohamed noted that Guyana was predicted to have the highest rate of economic growth in the world in 2026 based on oil exploration and production. This growth is driving the need for workforce skills training, and the University of Guyana is adapting to continually improve and meet the needs of the workforce of tomorrow.

The conclave was designed to develop a shared understanding of issues impacting the future of work globally, regionally and in Guyana; to frame a plan of action to address the need for a skilled workforce in Guyana including the potential of adding short, flexible, industry recognized credentials; and to build partnerships with government, industry, the community and other academic entities to deliver workforce relevant training and education.

Dr. Robertson, a co-organizer of the conclave, served as the opening plenary speaker highlighting the global nature of the skills gap and its impacts particularly in the Caribbean region.

Dr. Robertson noted the imperative for higher education institutions to adapt to change using strategic, evidence-based approaches including the growing importance of micro credentials, online education, shorter industry certified courses and partnerships. He used several examples of research and case studies in the Caribbean region to highlight best practice.

Mr. Puckerin outlined the successful efforts in the Cayman Islands to introduce certified technical and vocational training using the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) model.

The conclave included other sessions on the importance of quality assurance in higher education and establishing systems to upskill faculty that was presented by Dr. DePoy from Saint Leo University and Dr. Henry Young from the New England Institute of Technology; the importance of industry certified digital technology skills including CompTIA and the growing importance of artificial intelligence by Mr. Robles an industry expert; employability skills including soft skills led by Dr. Oliver from City and Guilds London and, building national strategies using the example of the National Development Plan in the Bahamas presented by Felix Stubbs, Chair of the National Development Plan.

The conclave drew more than 100 participants including business, government and education attendees as well as University of Guyana faculty, staff and students. Representatives of CARICOM, the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank and several chambers of commerce officials from across Guyana were in attendance.

At the conclave, the University of Guyana signed partnership agreements with Saint Leo University (Florida) and New England Institute of Technology (Rhode Island) to explore mutually beneficial projects and initiatives including faculty exchanges and student study abroad options.

As a part of the conclave the University of Guyana announced the formal launch of NCCER training at its Berbice campus. At this formal launch more than 200 registered interest in the training and an initial cohort of 30 will be selected to begin training immediately. In addition, a train-the-trainer cohort is being selected to build local capacity.

Overall, Vice Chancellor Mohamed stated that “the conclave was well-received, and it should be viewed as a first step in building national capacity to address the challenges of the future of work.”