From the Banking and Finance sector to the Energy Industry, more than 40 companies provided insight into the vast employment opportunities that exist within the country as the University of Guyana hosted Day 1 of its Open Day and Job Fair today at its Turkeyen Campus.

The event concludes on Saturday.

Managing Director of Republic Bank Ltd, Dr Toussaint Boyce, who is a proud product of the University of Guyana and a distinguished Guyanese scholar, said while studying at UG, he was first identified by Republic Bank, having been the recipient of a scholarship.

That opportunity, he said, set the stage for him to become the bank’s first Manager for Legal Services, later taking up a number of senior positions in the entity.

“So, like you I was concerned and anxious about being able to get a job. Those are all valid questions. But here is something that I have learnt, which is all you need is the courage to take the next step. This is one of the reasons why Republic Bank has invested in initiatives over 10 years because we believe that when young people are given options, resources and the right tools, and they are better equipped to make the right decisions that will positively impact their lives and future, they will do so,” Dr Boyce said.

He urged the current and prospective students to explore the options available, ask questions, be intentional, and be prepared.

“Engage with us, be intentional, ask questions and our team, like those of all other sponsors, will help to guide you, and conduct on the spot interviews. So, come prepare, your opportunity could very well start today. I know also in the age of technology and AI driven workforce delivery, we recognize that some of you may be looking beyond the traditional workforce entry, and to be your own boss, and to build something that you want to know and we support that,” Dr Boyce said.

Dr. Boyce also told those present that Republic Bank stands ready to support and or finance their entrepreneurial dreams.

With the energy sector in Guyana employing more than 6,000 Guyanese, ExxonMobil Guyana Community Relations Supervisor, Ryan Hoppie, said the figure includes 1800 Guyanese, who are working offshore Guyana.

“These roles span Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Health and Safety, Logistics, finance, Information Technology and Project Support many of which are directly connected to programmes right here offered at the University of Guyana,” he said.

He said since 2015, hundreds of billions of Guyanese dollars have been spent with local suppliers, creating opportunities for graduates from UG’s Business, Accounting and Economic Programmes to realize their place within Guyana’s economy.

He said Exxon’s participation in the Open Day and Job Fair is helping to strengthen the bridge between education and employment.

Meanwhile, G-Mining Ventures – the Canadian based company that is developing a US$1.5 billion gold project in Region 7- is among companies within the Mining Industry participating in the job fair. Its Talent Acquisition Lead, Akedia Patterson told News Source that with the company is in its construction phase, there are vast opportunities for Guyanese.

“We are here today because we are looking for a lot of persons, everything in construction. To get the word out there, right now we need carpenters – that’s a major task that we are looking for right now but yes, it is a gold mining company. Once we move from construction and into operations we will need a lot of [workers] as you can see there are a lot of vacancies from welders to carpenters to pipe fitters to electricians, there are a lot of vacancies,” Patterson said.

And Gillian Chevrotiere – the HR Head for Beharry Group Limited – told News Source that Beharry – is a group of companies that taps into almost every sector of the countries. She said the group offers many opportunities.

“There are many opportunities in HR, digital, our restaurant as well because we do have a restaurant. We recently join as part of a joint venture with a technology company – AMBER technologies, so there are a lot of opportunities opening up in that space as well and also of course opportunities in spaces such as Finance, Procurement and the Manufacturing Sector,” Chebrotiere said.

Halliburton, Demerara Distillers, MODEC, and SBM Offshore are among companies participating in the job fair in addition to a number of public sector entities including the Ministry of Education, Guyana Power and Light, the National Insurance Scheme, Guyana Water Incorporated and the Guyana Defence Force.

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