HGP Nightly News – Businesses across Guyana are struggling to find workers as the country’s rapid economic expansion drives up demand for labour in several key industries.
Private Sector Commission Executive Member Timothy Tucker said the shortage is being felt across construction, transportation, mining, agriculture, and other sectors, not just oil and gas.
Speaking on the Starting Point podcast on Sunday, Tucker said employers are finding it increasingly difficult to fill available positions.
“We have a labour shortage,” he said.
Some of the most in-demand jobs right now include truck drivers, mechanics, electricians, plumbers, health and safety officers, and quality-control specialists.
Tucker said even truck driving, often seen as a basic occupation, has become a high-demand job that is paying well.
“We see something as simple as truck drivers being a high-demand job at the moment, that is paying extremely well,” he said.
The construction boom has also created a sharp need for general labourers as public and private projects continue to expand across the country.
“Especially with the construction boom, you’re seeing a great demand for labourers as well,” Tucker said.
Foreign workers have entered Guyana to help ease the shortage, but Tucker believes Guyanese still have major opportunities to benefit from the growing economy.
He said citizens can find work in expanding industries, move into associated fields, or start businesses of their own.
“Yes, we have some number of foreigners coming in to help, but I believe that most Guyanese have the opportunity to either work in the industry or an associated industry, or you have the ability at this point to be an entrepreneur,” he said.
Tucker said Guyana’s growth is no longer being driven by one sector alone.
“You don’t have one sector pushing the country,” he said.
He noted that while government development projects are expanding, the oil and gas sector is also forcing local manufacturers and service providers to meet higher international standards.
Beyond oil and gas, Tucker identified mining, forestry, and agriculture as areas where new opportunities are opening up.
He said increased demand for goods and services has created space for suppliers, transportation providers, farmers, and other businesses tied to the productive sectors.
“If you look at the market today, there are greater opportunities,” Tucker said.
He encouraged Guyanese to look for gaps in the market and build businesses around them, even while holding on to their regular jobs.
“There’s nothing stopping you from being an entrepreneur,” Tucker said. “Keep your day job and work that side gig. Everything counts.”
He urged citizens to diversify, find niche products or services, and take advantage of unmet needs in the economy.
Still, Tucker warned that success requires more than enthusiasm. He said prospective entrepreneurs must research the market, understand customer needs, and prepare properly before launching.
According to Tucker, Guyana’s current growth presents one of the strongest opportunities in decades for people willing to develop skills, enter high-demand fields, or build businesses.
“There’s opportunities all around you,” he said. “You just have to look for them.”
The government has been expanding technical and vocational training, widening tertiary education opportunities, and introducing skills-development programmes to help prepare workers for the demands of the fast-growing economy.
