The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) in alliance with the Ugandan government has launched a welders certification program to train and prepare nationals for the country's prospective oil industry.
Uganda is expected to begin oil and gas production in a couple of years, but the country is faced with a lack of skilled employees.
"There is going to be a lot of metal work in the oil and gas industry, there is going to be the construction of the pipeline, setting up the oil rigs, there is also going to be repair and maintenance of other metal works, dealing in machine shops, welding, forging and other parts of mechanical engineering," Matthew Komurubuga, a trainee.
The program aims at helping young Ugandans undertake oil and gas training, and get the skill sets and certifications necessary as the country prepares to move into production.
"This is the first of its kind for Uganda to have an institution that is going to undertake international welding or international certification and CNOOC is on board to enable this happen," said Amina Bukenya, CNOOC.
In partnership with the Sunmaker Institute of Oil and Gas, CNOOC is helping to prepare a qualified pool of local welders.
"The oil industry that is kicking off. They will require welders, but not just any welder will be allowed to take part because it is a hi-tech kind of work, so each welder that will be required to take part will need to be certified," said Martin Mwalango, trainer of Sunmaker Institute of Oil and Gas.
This is a pilot project that will run for an initial three months, in six technical and vocational institutions around the country.
Uganda is planning to build a pipeline, refinery and central processing facility running from Western Uganda to the Tanzania, called "East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline". Welding will be a key requirement in the construction of Uganda's oil pipeline. This project is expected to create more than 15,000 jobs and 1,500 of which are for specialist welders.
The oil and gas sector is expected to attract more than 20 billion dollars into the country in the next few years. And government believes having a qualified pool of local workers will help the country's young population tap into the lucrative oil sector.
Sources:cctvplus
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