Total E&P starts training students for top oil pipeline welding jobs

OIL AND GAS

 

 

The welders form the first batch of 25 out of the 200 students targeted for this initiative.The shortlisted candidates will undertake specialised training in 2G and 4G coded welding levels in line with the industry standards and requirements.

 

The training comes at a time when the company is preparing for a final investment decision on the Tilenga and EACOP projects which will kick start the construction phase of the projects.

 

Welding Positions for plate and pipe (1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, 6GR) are applicable in the fabrication and installation of piping and pipelines for industrial plants, oil and gas industry, chemical plants and other industry which uses piping and pipelines. EACOP is the planned 1445km long, 24-inch diameter pipeline that will transport Uganda's crude oil from Hoima to Tanga Port in Tanzania.

 

Tilenga  is  the  name  of  the  project  in  which  several  oil and gas facilities such as central processing facilities, feeder pipelines, contractor camps, roads  will  be  developed  and  located  in Buliisa and Nwoya districts (facilities located in Murchison Falls National Park).

 

The training is aimed at enhancing the employability of Ugandans from the Albertine region and East African crude oil pipeline areas. The commencement of the training follows a transparent selection process carried out by the training consultant, the  assessment  and  skilling  centre  (TASC)  with  the  involvement  of  the local leaders from the Albertine districts and along the pipeline route in Uganda.

 

Two training centres  have  been  set  up,  one  in  Buliisa  to  cater  for  candidates  from  the  Albertine districts, and another in Lwengo district to cater for candidates from the pipeline districts.

 

Each batch of 25 candidates will undergo three months training which will involve technical classroom training as well as practical welding.

 

While speaking at the unveiling ceremony held at Buhimba Technical Institute in Hoima on Thursday , Total E&P Uganda Integrated Project Representative Jean Yves Petit said: "This programme is very important to us as it signifies our commitment not only to the development of Uganda's oil project but also to the empowerment of Ugandans to take an active and crucial part in the overall development of  the  oil  project  in  Uganda". 

 

"It is a strong commitment on our part specifically towards our host communities, all of the welders being trained here today originate from the areas around the pipeline districts and the Albertine region."

 

The training will enhance the students' knowledge and skills in order to meet the anticipated demands of the project as well as also ensure adherence to the highest standards of quality, health,  safety  and  environment. 

 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  training,  the  students  will  be internationally  certified  welders  of  the  American  Welding  Society  Standard if  they  pass the certification tests . This will increase their employability not only within the oil and gas sector in Uganda but also in other sectors and in other countries.

 

"The training of the welding students comes at a crucial time in the project cycle as we prepare for the final investment decision for the Tilenga and EACOP projects. When this decision is taken,  we  can  all  expect  that  activities  will  rapidly  increase  shortly  thereafter  as  we  start construction of all the project facilities such as the Central Processing Facility and the pipelines.

 

The importance therefore of these welders cannot be understated. They are receiving training that is of international standards and this will make them employable not only in Uganda but internationally", Petit said.

 

"We are equally happy to announce that we have decided to train welder inspectors because quality control is absolutely key in the industry," Petit added.

The welders training programme is expected to equip 200 students with the highest level of oil and gas welding skills.

 

The programme is fully funded by Total E&P Uganda. Total E&P Uganda   has   also   partnered   with   the   German   Development   Agency (GIZ)   through   a Memorandum  of  Understanding  under  which  GIZ  will  use  its  expertise  and  experience  in capacity building programmes to closely monitor the project's implementation.