Guyana Mining School achieves CTVET accreditation

The Guyana Mining School & Training Centre Inc. (GMSTCI) has announced that its Bartica Training Facility has been officially accredited by the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET).

This accreditation authorises the facility to operate as a certified vocational institution in Guyana and to deliver programmes that meet the nationally approved Technical and Vocational Education and Training standards.

The accreditation, issued through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and valid until 12 February 2028, reinforces the government’s continued investment in strengthening Guyana’s human capital in the extractive sector.

This certification carries particular significance, as it is the first TVET certificate ever issued for the mining sector in Guyana.

It marks Bartica as GMSTCI’s first officially accredited TVET centre, positioning the town at the forefront of a national effort to formalise skills training within the industry.

GMSTCI has also confirmed that it is now prepared to expand into Linden, where its next accredited training centre will be developed to serve the mining communities of Region Ten.

The Bartica centre forms part of a wider capacity-building effort developed in partnership with several of the country’s leading large-scale gold operators. GMSTCI has signed Memoranda of Understanding with AGM Inc., G Mining Ventures, and G2 Goldfields, all of whom have played an important role in supporting workforce development and strengthening industry standards.

Their involvement reflects the growing alignment between the Mining School and the companies driving Guyana’s expanding gold sector.

The newly accredited programmes delivered at Bartica will equip trainees with practical, field-ready competencies in areas such as Mineral Prospecting, Map Reading, Mines Safety and Occupational Safety and Health. These courses emphasise real-world application, including the use of GPS and compass tools, hazard identification, trench and drill alignment, and environmental responsibility. GMSTCI notes that these skills directly support safer, more efficient operations across the mining value chain.

The accreditation aligns closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources’ broader objective of advancing technical standards within the industry.

Minister Vickram Bharrat has highlighted the need for a more skilled and safety-conscious workforce as mining operations become increasingly sophisticated. The Bartica accreditation directly contributes to this agenda by offering miners and industry personnel a clear pathway to nationally and regionally recognised qualifications under the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) framework.

With the accreditation now secured, GMSTCI states that it is fully prepared to expand its accredited training framework to Linden, strengthening access to technical education in another of Guyana’s key mining regions. The institution says this step reflects its long-term commitment to building a highly trained mining workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of the country’s extractive industries.