Government wants competent trainers for oil industry

Feb 19, 2020

Kasande asked the association to ensure that training institutions offer courses that are internationally certified.

OIL AND GAS

Robert Kasande, the permanent secretary at the ministry of energy and mineral development has said whoever is training professionals for the oil and gas industry has to have the required capabilities.

Kasande said this during the election and launching of the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Uganda (OGTAU). OGTAU is spearheaded by the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU).  The function took place at Protea Hotel, Kampala.

The association brings together institutions and individuals involved in the training and development of skills related to the oil and gas sector.

Kasande asked the association to ensure that training institutions offer courses that are internationally certified.

Bernard Ongodia Principal Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba was elected chairman of OGTAU. The CEO of Q-Sourcing Uganda Patrick Mbonye won votes for vice chairperson.

Other positions taken were secretary that was won by Juliet Kakoma the human resource manager at Solid Rock and Life Business, the position of treasurer was taken by treasurer Patrick Ruharuza the principal of Institute of Petroleum Studies Kampala and the post of publicity secretary was won by Joseph Kanyesigye training coordinator/ marketing manager at the Sunmaker Oil & Gas Training Institute, Kampala.

Alex Kakooza the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports explained that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is part of the higher education system in Uganda.

Kakooza said there have been a complaint that graduates from Uganda were not employable as they lacked certain competencies and skills.

"We are writing a White Paper to reform higher education in Uganda. A few years back there was anxiety that the country will not meet the manpower requirements for the oil and gas sector. But there is no doubt today that the ministry of education and sports together with the private sector will undertake the skilling of Ugandans," Kakooza said.

He added the TVET Policy, strategic plan have been launched. He said the plan provides for training certain competencies, the training will be private sector led and demand driven to meet the needs of not only the oil and gas industries but other industries as well.

Kakooza asked parents and students to consider TVET as a first option but not the last in career choice. "We are proposing to have a technical university to train students. One can begin TVET at any level where they can get certificates, then get diplomas, followed by higher diplomas then masters and PhDs at the technical university," Kakooza explained.

He said government was implementing the Uganda Skills Development Project and the Albertine Region Sustainable Development Project which will help skill Ugandans.

He noted that under the Albertine Region Sustainable Development Project bursaries are being given to local people in the region to get trained in various skills and trades so that: "they do not see oil and gas pass them".

Ernest Rubondo, executive director PAU said Uganda was on the right track with the skilling of Ugandans to work in the oil and gas sector.

Rubondo who was represented by Ali Ssekatawa, PAU's director for legal and corporate affairs said that some of this labour force is already working within and out of the oil and gas sector while others are out of the country working in United Arab Emirates and South Sudan.

"The Oil and Gas Trainer's Association of Uganda will contribute to skilling Ugandans by ensuring that only competent training institutions offer training services in the oil and gas sector, ensuring that only internationally certified students are channeled out, soliciting for training support from government and development partners, formulating strategies of placing students for internship among others," Ssekatawa said.

Ongodia said the new association has many things to cover and achieve in a short time.

Ongodia said the association will see that they work with various institutions involved in technical and vocational education.

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