The Government of Guyana is set to host a job fair in New York, aiming to attract skilled members of the Guyanese Diaspora back to their homeland. This initiative addresses a significant skills and resource gap identified by international and local assessments, which highlight the need for approximately 100,000 skilled professionals due to the rapid transformation of Guyana’s economy.
A research paper by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reveals that around 550,000 Guyanese live abroad. The study also indicates that between 1965 and 2000, nearly 90% of Guyanese nationals with tertiary-level education and 40% of those with secondary education emigrated from Guyana.
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In response to Guyana’s recent economic advancements, there has been a noticeable trend of Guyanese nationals returning home. The government has introduced various policies and initiatives to encourage this reverse migration.
“This will be happening very soon, targeting the diaspora to inform them about the opportunities in Guyana, the skills we need, and how they can contribute,” said Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud to the Department of Public Information (DPI).
Persaud emphasized that not only are expatriates returning, but their children are also being encouraged to contribute to the country’s development.
“We are already seeing an influx of returnees addressing the skills gap of over 100,000. There is renewed interest from the second generation, who have built their capacities in various sectors, and they are also returning to Guyana,” he noted.
The positive economic climate in Guyana creates a favorable environment for both returnees and new migrants, ensuring their retention within the country. Persaud highlighted the detrimental impact of the brain drain over the past decades and the importance of reversing this trend.
“Any developing country such as ours, losing one skilled worker can have an impact. Unfortunately, in Guyana, we’ve lost many skilled workers and some of our biggest minds. Over the last half-century, Guyanese have significantly contributed to other countries and industries worldwide. This brain drain has negatively impacted our country, and we are working to change that,” he explained.
To address this, the government is rolling out initiatives aimed at retaining talent within the country and developing the capacity of its workforce to propel Guyana’s burgeoning economy.
As Guyana continues to grow, these efforts to reconnect with its diaspora are critical in bridging the skills gap and ensuring sustainable economic development. The upcoming job fair in New York marks a significant step towards achieving these goals, inviting skilled professionals to return home and be part of Guyana’s promising future.
