ODITC, a joint venture (JV) between Guyana’s Orinduik Development Incorporated, Windsor Technologies, and 3t EnerMech, has become the first organization in the country to be approved to deliver OPITO accredited training to oil and gas workers.
The 3t EnerMech Guyana Training Centre of Excellence, developed by ODITC, has been established to support the region’s growing need to grow its oil and gas talent.
"OPITO certification is a common requirement for thousands of global offshore workers whose employers require a shared knowledge of safe working practices benchmarked against the same industry standard," ODITC said.
The new facility obtained the OPITO approval to train personnel across a range of rigger, banksman, and slinger skills and competencies after meeting the strict criteria set out by the global skills organization for the energy sector. In addition, 3t EnerMech said it was on track to widen its OPITO offering in the coming weeks to include Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET), and firefighting emergency response training.
Offshore Drilling & FPSO Simulator Planned
Located in Lusignan next to Orinduik’s new heliport, more than (USD) $20 million has been invested into the infrastructure by Orinduik, Windsor and 3t EnerMech. The training center features its own skills hall, welding and fabrication shop, rigging and lifting areas, technology suite, and a 14ft deep sea survival pool. According to 3t Enermech, nine new full-time jobs have been created, including seven Guyanese nationals, with further local hires planned as an integral part of its growth strategy.
It also plans to introduce simulation and virtual reality technologies aimed at the rapidly growing offshore, drilling, and Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel operations.
3t EnerMech’s Alan Sharp, recently appointed as general manager to oversee the new training complex, said: “Being the first training provider in Guyana to obtain OPITO approval to deliver its training standards is a fantastic achievement. I’m extremely proud of our entire team and partners for successfully passing the audit and obtaining this globally recognized accreditation for our facility so smoothly.
“Previously, Guyanese nationals looking to secure roles in oil and gas would be faced with traveling to Trinidad, the USA, or Europe to gain the necessary training and OPITO certification. The JV business between local firms and 3t EnerMech was created precisely to mitigate these challenges, with the Training Centre of Excellence offering appropriate training that’s more accessible. Our main objectives are to help develop the region’s homegrown talent and sustain the growing needs of the sector for a safe, skilled and competent workforce.
“We look forward to rolling out our first OPITO program along with a raft of other vital safety courses.”
Now operational, ODITC’s training center has recently entered the final stages of its phase one development which is expected to be fully complete by September 2022, 3t EnerMech said.