AS Guyana’s maritime sector continues to expand, three key industry players, Noble Corporation, El Dorado Offshore, and MATPAL Marine Institute, have joined forces once again to launch the third cohort of the Noble Marine Cadet Scholarship Programme, inviting ambitious young Guyanese to chart a transformative career path at sea.
Applications officially opened on August 6, 2025, and will remain open until October 31, 2025.
The scholarship offers full financial support over a three-year training period, covering tuition, developmental assistance, and one-on-one mentorship, aiming to equip cadets with the skills needed for thriving careers in navigation, marine engineering, and offshore operations.
Designed to nurture the next generation of seafarers, the programme has undergone significant upgrades to its application process.
Interested candidates can now easily access scholarship details online and submit their applications directly via a QR code-enabled portal. This tech-forward approach also includes access to preparatory resources to guide applicants through the interview and assessment phases.
CELEBRATING PROGRESS AND OPPORTUNITY
The initiative is more than just a scholarship—it is a movement to close critical skill gaps in Guyana’s evolving energy and maritime industries. Speaking on the importance of the programme, Noble Pioneer Captain Chris praised the trailblazing spirit of the first cohort of cadets, noting that their success laid the groundwork for others to follow.
“The stage that everyone has set—the success, the team you’ve built from the first group to the second—has made it possible for others to be part of such an outstanding opportunity,” Captain Chris remarked.
As the academic partner for the programme, MATPAL Marine Institute plays a crucial role in delivering world-class maritime training to the scholarship recipients. Ms. Coleen Abrams, a representative of MATPAL, expressed pride in the Institute’s two-decade journey training Guyanese mariners, growing from modest beginnings to a national leader in maritime education.
“We are proud to be that backbone for what has now blossomed into so many other offshoots for training and certification here in Guyana. In other words, we had to lie down for others to stand up—and we were happy to do so,” Abrams declared.
She urged cadets to embrace the opportunity, noting that each recipient represents another Guyanese youth empowered to uplift themselves and contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
To widen access and awareness, the partners are launching a public sensitisation campaign throughout August and September via radio, social media, and community outreach. The initiative will highlight the benefits of the scholarship, share testimonials from past cadets, and provide insights into the maritime industry.
Thalia Wilson, Local Content Champion at El Dorado Offshore, explained the importance of this effort:
“What we want to do is really sensitise the public… to share more information about the scholarship, to give testimonials, and to highlight the benefits of this life-changing opportunity.”
WHAT’S NEXT
Once applications close at the end of October, the shortlisting process will begin in November, with the 2026 Noble Scholars expected to be officially announced by the end of December.
This partnership not only opens doors for individual success stories—it helps build a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to serve in Guyana’s rapidly expanding maritime and offshore sectors, ensuring that the nation’s youth are prepared to lead at home and at sea.
