Guyana has proudly introduced the Caribbean’s inaugural Air Transport Cadet Programme, a significant initiative aimed at transforming the future of aviation in the region. Launched by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in collaboration with International Air Cadet Training Ltd (iACT), Air Cadets Guyana, and the University of Guyana, this programme aligns with the ICAO Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Plus (NGAP+) Programme.
Targeting youths aged 11 to 16, the programme will provide extracurricular aviation studies, while those aged 16 and older will progress into vocational and professional training. The goal is to cultivate a sustainable and highly skilled workforce to support the rapidly expanding aviation sector in the region.
In his keynote address at the launch, President Dr. Irfaan Ali described the programme as a strategic national mission. “This initiative is not one by accident or chance. It is clearing a new flight path for our nation’s future,” he stated.
Dr. Ali emphasized that the programme is a cornerstone of Guyana’s aviation ambitions, noting that the country’s aviation sector is “cleared for takeoff” and poised for significant growth. “Together, we are building a crew for a journey of national transformation,” he remarked.
The President pledged that as the domestic aviation network expands, benefits will be inclusive and widespread, reaching every community across the nation. “No region, no community will be left on the tarmac of progress. Our mission is to link urban to rural and rural to hinterland, not just by road or river, but by the most powerful connector of all—the air,” he asserted.
Dr. Ali highlighted the need for a new generation of homegrown aviation talent, from freight forwarders to flight operations specialists, emphasizing the growing demand for logistics professionals as cargo transport increases. “This is not a side project; this is a strategic national investment. We are here to cultivate a new core of professionals,” he explained.
The President encouraged young people to seize this opportunity, stating, “You are not entering a stagnant industry; you are catching the wave of its greatest growth.” He extended both encouragement and a challenge to the first cohort of cadets directly.
Malcolm Evans, CEO of iACT, praised the initiative as a pivotal moment for Guyana’s aviation sector. “It will help deliver the President’s vision and will be the first programme to implement the latest ICAO standards in CARICOM and South America, turning them into actions that others can come, see, and learn from,” Evans concluded.
This groundbreaking programme marks a significant step forward for aviation in Guyana and the Caribbean, fostering the development of future professionals in the industry.
