TotalEnergies EP Suriname B.V., together with the Government of Suriname and Staatsolie, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the development of Suriname’s workforce. The collaboration aims to ensure that education and vocational training are better aligned with the needs of the labor market, with a particular focus on the emerging offshore oil and gas industry.
The MoU was signed by TotalEnergies EP Suriname, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture, the Ministry of Oil, Gas, and Environment, the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Labor, and Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. The agreement has an initial term of four years.
According to the parties involved, the collaboration is intended to contribute to better technical education, modern training facilities, and more practice-oriented programs. In addition to the oil and gas sector, the initiative is also intended to develop skills that can be applied in other parts of the economy. According to the signatories, this will also promote economic diversification and sustainable development.
As part of this collaboration, existing education and training programs in the fields of oil, gas, and energy will be reviewed. These programs must be better aligned with international industry standards. Plans also include the modernization of laboratories and technical training facilities, as well as training for teachers and instructors.
Artur Nunes da Silva, Country Chair and General Manager of TotalEnergies EP Suriname B.V., says the agreement aligns with the company’s Local Content approach in Suriname. “Our goal is to ensure, through GranMorgu, that skills, employment, local businesses, and institutions grow alongside the project, thereby strengthening local capacities to achieve sustainable benefits for Suriname,” said Nunes da Silva.
Staatsolie will also contribute to strengthening technical education and vocational training. The state-owned company will bring technical expertise and international practical experience to this effort. According to Staatsolie CEO Annand Jagesar, this aligns with the company’s broader mission to contribute to Suriname’s development.
“Staatsolie’s implicit mission is the advancement of our society. To help make Suriname a developed country where every citizen enjoys a good standard of living and has ample opportunities to grow,” says Jagesar. He cites high-quality education as an essential part of that mission.
The relevant ministries must ensure that the updated curricula are integrated into the national education system and align with education and labor policies. Minister Dirk Currie of Education, Science, and Culture says that the MoU is in line with the policy to promote equal access to quality education.
“This MoU supports the government’s policy of leaving no one behind and ensuring equal access to quality education. It also improves our vocational education to meet the needs of both the oil and gas sectors and other sectors,” said Currie.
Minister Patrick Brunings of Oil, Gas, and the Environment emphasizes that investing in local capacity is essential to creating long-term value. “We believe that a sustainable future begins with the choices we make today, by investing in local capacity and creating lasting value for future generations,” says Brunings.
TotalEnergies EP Suriname is the operator of the GranMorgu offshore oil project, Suriname’s first large-scale offshore oil development project. Through its Local Content Program, the company says it is investing in education, workforce development, and capacity building in collaboration with national partners.
