Workers in the Trinidad and Tobago energy sector can look forward to more stable employment opportunities, as the government plans to double the number of permanent jobs in the industry.
This, from Minister in the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, Ernesto Kesar, at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NESC Technical Institute and Caribbean Well Service Company Ltd on Wednesday.
The MoU will see the creation of apprenticeship and on-the-job training opportunities for NESC-TI graduates at Caribbean Well Service.
Minister Kesar said these new apprenticeship and OJT jobs will not be the only additions to the local energy sector.
“In the first quarter of 2025, the number of persons reported to be employed in the oil and gas sector averaged about 12,800, accounting for a mere 2.3% of our country’s labour force. As our government aims to restore Trinidad and Tobago to be the energy hub of the Caribbean, we aim to create employment opportunities for our citizens as well, and with a keen focus on youth development.”
Minister Kesar noted that the energy sector continues to make a significant contribution to the local economy, with 45% of gross domestic product annually.
“What gets measured gets done. So, 2.3%. We want to increase that by maybe 100% come next year.”
Minister Kesar added that efforts are being made to ensure that the sector provides stable employment opportunities.
“We want to return this industry into being a proper sustainable industry where jobs are concerned. And one of the ways we have to do that is focus on more young people entering the industry from that perspective, either as an apprentice or in an actual permanent or long-term contract job. The other way is the existing employment scenario needs to be expanded and I’m talking specifically now about Heritage.”
The signing ceremony was held at the NESC-TI’s drilling academy in Ste Madeleine.
Minister Kesar also got the opportunity to tour the drilling academy.