Foreign employers have been reminded that when a Guyanese national has the relevant qualification, but lacks the requisite experience, that Guyanese shall benefit from necessary training. Photo: Loop News

The Local Content Secretariat said that in accordance with the Local Content Act and in keeping with the approved Local Content Master Plans and Local Content Annual Plans, it has written to contractors, sub-contractors, and licences, reminding of their obligation.

“The parties were reminded that when a Guyanese national has the relevant qualification, but lacks the requisite experience, that Guyanese shall benefit from necessary training. Therefore, contractors, sub-contractors, and licensees are required to ensure that Guyanese nationals employed to support their operations continuously benefit from training and capacity development,” according to a statement.

The Secretariat informed the foreign employers mainly in the energy sector, that it will be conducting audits to ensure compliance with the requirements stated in the Act.

“As part of those audits, contractors, subcontractors, and licences will be required to submit evidence of, inter alia, providing Guyanese nationals the opportunity to apply for new and vacant positions, ensuring a level playing of benefits between Guyanese nationals and non-Guyanese applicants, and consideration for overcoming experience gaps for Guyanese national applicants through training and mentorship”.

The Secretariat warned that failure to comply with this and other requirements of the Act “would render the contractor, sub-contractor, or licensee non-compliant and therefore hinder the receipt of the Local Content Certificate of Compliance and other related approvals.”