The Warehouse & Logistics Employee training was provided by Procurement Advisory Services N.V. on behalf of the Directoraat Welzijn en Arbeid (Directorate of Welfare and Labour). The programme is part of the Leri Fu Feni Wroko (Learning to Find Work) project, which falls under the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-funded Labour Market Alignment with New Industries programme.
Over two weeks, participants were prepared for work in warehouses and the logistics sector. The focus was on receiving, storing, managing and preparing goods for dispatch. Safe and efficient work within logistics processes was also part of the curriculum.
In addition to theoretical and practical lessons, participants made orientation visits to a rice company and a care institution in Nickerie. This gave them insight into the layout of warehouses and the way goods are stored and recorded.
Deputy Minister wants to train 3,000 people before the end of 2027
During the certificate presentation, Deputy Minister Jadnanansing stressed that vocational training for jobseekers and vulnerable groups must be continued structurally in the coming period. According to him, this is necessary to better prepare Surinamese people for the demand for local personnel expected to arise from the development of the oil and gas sector.
The deputy minister aims to prepare around 3,000 people for the labour market before the end of 2027. He expects that the oil and gas sector alone will create between 6,000 and 7,000 jobs over the next two years.
In addition, he foresees new employment in other sectors that could indirectly benefit from economic activities surrounding the oil and gas industry.
Jadnanansing stated that the Directoraat Welzijn en Arbeid is on track to achieve its training target. He referred to the Leri Fu Feni Wroko (Learning to Find Work) and Wroko Fu Meki Moni (Work to Make Money) projects, through which the government aims to increase employment opportunities for jobseekers.
Training also in Wanica, Para and Commewijne
The training programme is now also being implemented in other districts. A similar training course started in Wanica on Wednesday, 28 October, and is scheduled to run until 16 December 2026. A total of 125 people from various districts are taking part in the programme. In 2027, the training courses will continue in Para and Commewijne. According to the ministry, the choice of warehouse and logistics training corresponds with the growing need for personnel in distribution, inventory management, logistics and supporting business services.
Certification should increase labour-market opportunities
Also present at the presentation were programme manager Oyeleye Adeniyi of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), director and founder Guilliano Doest of Procurement Advisory Services N.V., and district secretary Rita Eduards on behalf of the commissariaat Nickerie.
The speakers stressed the importance of the participants’ commitment and discipline. According to them, obtaining the certificate is an important step in increasing their chances of finding work. With the programme, the ministry aims not only to teach jobseekers new skills, but also to better align them with employers’ needs.
