GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Sixteen Guyanese private sector companies participated in a Diaspora Job Fair in New York on Saturday, aiming to fill vacant positions and engage with the global Guyanese community.
During the keynote address, a government representative emphasized that this event is part of a broader initiative to connect with the Guyanese diaspora, fulfilling a commitment made by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali to host job fairs in various locations worldwide.
“Our goal is to ensure that Guyanese are well-informed about developments in their home country and that they actively participate in the transformation and prosperity of Guyana,” the representative stated.
While similar opportunities are available for those living in Guyana, companies continue to struggle with recruitment to fill critical roles.
An assessment by an international organization highlighted a significant skills gap within the local workforce. An expert is currently working with the Ministry of Labour to identify essential skills and address existing shortages across different sectors.
The representative added, “Approximately 100,000 skilled workers were identified as needed, and the job fair is designed to support the private sector. We currently lack the necessary resident talent to drive the growth and development envisioned for Guyana.”
As a solution, a strategic effort is being made to engage the diaspora, which encompasses over one million individuals around the world. Furthermore, due to ongoing regional challenges, over 30,000 Venezuelans are now residing in Guyana.
“The contributions from our diaspora are invaluable. Many projects would not have progressed without their support, so an aggressive outreach is essential to harness their expertise for our nation’s development,” the representative affirmed.
The job fair aims to inspire interest and participation from second and third-generation Guyanese abroad.
“For years, we discussed brain drain; now, we have reached a point where Guyanese firms are reaching out to the North American market to engage those who have left and their descendants for the development of our nation,” the representative remarked.
The Counsel General for New York highlighted the event as a clear indication of the government’s commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders as Guyana advances in its development journey.
“Guyana is experiencing unprecedented growth, presenting new challenges and opportunities, which underscores the relevance of initiatives like this,” the Counsel General noted.
The Chairman of the Private Sector Commission expressed gratitude for this engagement opportunity, pointing out the high demand for labor in essential sectors due to infrastructure development and growth, particularly in the oil and gas industries.
“As workforce dynamics shift toward the oil and gas sector, the private sector faces rising labor costs and a shortage of essential skills, including engineers, project managers, and more,” the Chairman commented.
Representatives from the Guyanese government in the United States also contributed insights at the event, highlighting the ongoing efforts to attract talent and bolster the workforce in Guyana.
