For the first time in Guyana, nail technology is being taught in public schools. NSI Guyana and the Ministry of Education have partnered to train students in this billion-dollar beauty industry.
On July 9, 2025, something quietly revolutionary happened in Guyana. Nail technology, a skill long overlooked and often dismissed, entered the formal education system. Thirty students across six secondary schools in Georgetown began receiving professional training in an industry valued at over $10 billion globally. But this wasn’t just a feel-good moment. It was a turning point for how we define education, skills, and success.
The Ministry of Education, led by the Honourable Priya Manickchand, and the team at the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Unit, didn’t just add another course. They flipped the script. For the first time, public school students are being trained to enter a professional industry before they even graduate. This is no side hustle. It's structured, technical training in chemistry, hygiene, branding, and design. https://lexannnsi.com/blog/f/tvet-nail-training-in-schools-nsi-guyana-and-moe-aids-students
Thanks to this programme, 30 students from Carmel, Freeburg, Lodge, East Ruimveldt, South Ruimveldt, and Dolphin Secondary now have the chance to become certified nail technicians. And they’re not practicing on paper. They’re working with NSI professional-grade, MMA-free and HEMA-free products, the same systems trusted by top salons across the Caribbean and North America.
Here’s what most people miss: the nail industry isn’t just about looks. It’s business. It’s branding. It’s chemistry.
Nail professionals don’t simply paint, they consult, heal, and empower. They create safe spaces and express identities. That’s what these students are being trained to do. With tools in hand and “salon-in-a-box” kits from NSI Guyana, they’re learning how to build beauty with purpose.
This shift didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s driven by people like Lexann McPhoy, Managing Director of NSI Guyana and a certified NSI Regional Educator. With more than 20 years of experience training professionals across Guyana and the Caribbean, Lexann has become a force for change. “At NSI Guyana, students are equipped with skills and tools for success,” she said. “Through the partnership with the TVET section of the MOE, students are provided with ‘a salon in a box’—a full package that puts them on the path to income, independence, and a healthier beauty industry.” Her goal? To make nail artistry eco-conscious, skill-based, and business-ready. And she’s doing just that, one classroom at a time.
In addition to teaching students how to work, the programme qualifies them . The foundation has been laid for Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) certification in Nail Technology, a standard that is regionally recognized. Students will walk out of school with credentials they can use immediately. Imagine being 17, certified, and ready to launch a salon. That’s not a dream. That’s happening now in Guyana.
NSI Guyana isn’t stopping here. They’re actively offering business opportunities for anyone ready to open their own nail salon using NSI products.From product access to certified training and marketing tools, NSI Guyana supports professionals and first-time entrepreneurs alike. This is how we grow communities—through skilled hands and smart business.
NSI Guyana is now seeking more partners—schools, investors, community groups—anyone who believes in giving young people tools that actually change their lives. When schools, educators, and professionals unite, lives transform. This programme is the proof. And it’s only the beginning.
About NSI Guyana
NSI Guyana is the official distributor of NSI's professional nail products in Guyana and the Caribbean. They focus on providing high-quality, eco-friendly, and MMA-free and HEMA-free nail products for professional nail technicians, salons, and beauty retailers. NSI Guyana also emphasizes sustainable practices and provides training on eco-friendly nail art techniques. They are known for their high-quality products and commitment to empowering nail technicians.
