Latest update May 20th, 2026 12:35 AM
Dec 14, 2018 News
The Guyana Maritime Training Institute MatPal and TOTALTEC Academy yesterday collaboratively launched the Maritime Safety Training Institute (MSTI).
MSTI is expected to offer state-of-the-art maritime and safety related training programmes.
Speaking at the opening ceremony was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MatPal, Colleen Abrams, who stated that the partnership will bring world-class training to Guyana as efforts to develop local content for the oil and gas sector continue.
“Through this strategic collaboration we are committed to addressing the issue of local content through training as well as adopting and enforcing the standards that are nationally and internationally accepted, so as to set and keep the bar high as it relates to knowledge and skill transfer,” said Abrams.
Senior Vice President of TotalTec Oilfield Services, Mike Henzell, spoke on the hope that the alliance of the two local pioneering companies will ensure world-class training for locals aspiring to work in the oil and gas sector.
“Through this alliance, the Maritime Safety Training Institute will develop state-of-the-art facilities for maritime and safety related training. We are investing in Guyana and its future by employing qualified instructors, equipment and new physical facilities to deliver all facets of this highly specialized training.
“Our investment in training and development of Guyanese young men and women is unparalleled and show our strong commitment to investing in people now for the future which is key to building a vibrant workforce that participates in our industry,” Henzell stated.
He added that the certification to be issued by the Institute is internationally sanctioned and is in keeping with internationally established standards.
“The courses offered by MatPal are all certified by the International Maritime Organisation which is the UN specialised agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping, and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.
IPMA training courses are mapped by the UK based institution of occupational safety and health and OPITO standards.”
Henzell also said that TOTALTEC’s International Petroleum & Maritime Academy (IPMA) is the only training institution in Guyana which offers full immersion safety and operational training programme into the oil and gas industry including practical training on industry-specific equipment and machinery.
He said that MatPal is the only Guyanese training facility that offers maritime training courses which are certified by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
OPITO is the global, not-for-profit, skills body for the energy industry.
More than 250,000 people are trained to OPITO standards every year, across 45 countries through over 200 approved training centres.
The organisation works with governments and industry employers across the world to develop and implement national and international competency frameworks.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Your children are starving, and you giving away their food to an already fat pussycat.
May 20, 2026
Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) wrapped up four days of exciting action featuring a number of top players who competed in the Diamond Independence Cup Squash Tournament...May 20, 2026
(Kaieteur News) – About fifteen years ago, the idea was floated that Guyana should establish a National School of Music. It was not a fanciful suggestion then, and it is even less so now. In fact, in today’s Guyana—poised between oil wealth and a rapidly expanding cultural footprint, it is...May 17, 2026
By Sir Ronald Sanders (Kaieteur News) – An attempt is now being made by a few member states of the Organization of American States (OAS), using procedural manoeuvres, to prevent a proposed “Declaration on the Rights of Persons and Peoples of African Descent” from proceeding to the OAS...May 20, 2026
Hard Truths by GHK Lall (Kaieteur News) – When President Ali talks about “sacred trust”, clearly, he is a leader floating in his own spaceship. Making matters worse, he now believes in his own fairytales. Incredibly, he expects others also to fall for his fables. REOs reshuffled; some sent...Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: glennlall2000@gmail.com / kaieteurnews@yahoo.com