The Government of Guyana is awaiting the finalization of a comprehensive manpower plan to address the existing skill gaps across multiple sectors. This is according to the Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo who emphasized that the plan will help produce the necessary skills, particularly for the hospitality and construction industries, as the country continues to experience rapid growth.
During his press conference on Thursday, he highlighted the urgency of training thousands of workers, especially in the hospitality sector, as the influx of new hotels begins to materialize. “We need three to four thousand people, and it’s a rapid build-up because the hotels are going to start coming on stream very soon. So, it’s a rapid build-up of those skills,” Jagdeo stated. He noted that the government may have to collaborate directly with hotel owners to support workforce training efforts, ensuring that the hospitality industry is prepared for the imminent demand.
Beyond hospitality, Jagdeo raised concerns about the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on job welfare, particularly in the call center industry. He pointed to recent developments in the Caribbean, where call centers in Jamaica have shut down, partly due to the growing use of AI to perform tasks traditionally done by humans. “That’s one of the negatives of AI. It will displace large numbers of people from labor-intensive industries,” Jagdeo warned.
In response to this technological shift, the Vice President outlined the government’s plans to mitigate job losses and retrain those affected by the rise of AI. He mentioned discussions with Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh and other officials to explore retraining options and new opportunities for displaced workers. Jagdeo remained optimistic about Guyana’s ability to absorb displaced labor, particularly in Region Four, where there are significant employment opportunities.
The construction sector was also highlighted as an area requiring a skilled workforce. Jagdeo noted the government’s current efforts to provide training and certification for workers in this industry, citing the work of Labour Ministry in offering training in that sector. “The training that we’re doing now, it’s unbelievable. A large number of people are getting the skill set and certification necessary to work in the construction sector,” Jagdeo said, encouraging more citizens to take advantage of these opportunities.
While the government is not waiting for a “perfect manpower plan” to act, Jagdeo reiterated the importance of completing the plan to ensure the technical aspects of workforce development are addressed. “We know what skills we need to produce now, and we’ve already embarked upon that,” he explained, noting that the process is being carried out across various sectors.
