KIKUUBE-670 out of the 700 youth in the Bunyoro Sub-region who applied to train as heavy machine operators in the oil and gas industry were not considered as they did not possess the required qualifications.
The youth were required to possess O’level certificate, have driving experience, and be disciplined, among a few others to qualify for the training sponsored by CNOOC Uganda and implemented by Zatta Energy Limited.
The 30 who qualified will be trained in operating excavators and bulldozers among other machines, which are being used in the current civil works as Uganda prepares to produce its first oil.
CNOOC Uganda is undertaking the Kingfisher oil field in Buhuka parish Kyangwali Sub-county in Kikuube district on shores of Lake Albert.
While the discovery of oil in the Albertine Graben has raised fears of a likely resource curse, government and oil companies are putting in place strategies to mitigate the negative impacts associated with the industry.
Speaking during the launch of the training last week at Sir Tito Winyi Playground in Hoima West division Hoima City, Mathew Kyaligonza, the national content manager CNOOC Uganda said applicants went through a rigorous assessment to get considered.
He noted that this is the first time the company is training the heavy machine operators, adding that the turn-up indicated there is high demand for the vocational skills
He commended the Petroleum Authority of Uganda [PAU]for putting in place national content regulations which he said enable oil companies to implement such training programmes.
He added that the company is committed to skill and developing capacity for local human resources for both the region and the country at large.
He said they are planning to train 160 welders, 84 teachers and certify them in different fields and train 200 small and medium enterprises [SMEs]
He noted that recently they started training with the heavy good driver and they have embarked on training Heavy Machine operators.
“With these skills, youth will be employable in oil and gas. We are also going to register you on the national supplier database [NSD] and recommend you to our contractors so that they can employ you,” he said.
James Okwi the skills development officer at PAU commended CNOOC Uganda for funding the training aimed at promoting national content.
He challenged the beneficiaries to take the vocational training seriously, saying those who engage in alcoholism and sexual immorality will be pushed out of the training.
While launching the training Hoima City deputy mayor, Sylvia Nalumanga expressed excitement about the training initiative for the youth in Bunyoro, adding that it is going to tackle the challenge of unemployment among the youth, as many are unskilled.
Ivan Wesonga, Executive Director of Zatta Energy Ltd said that the training of the beneficiaries started with theory, adding that the next phase will be equipping them with practical skills.
Patrick Tumusiime, one of the beneficiaries said that the training was long overdue adding that he has been longing to have such international certificates in vain due to lack of money.
He noted that this training would offer them an internationally recognised certificate, which will also help the youth to secure jobs outside Uganda.
https://thecooperator.news/300-bunyoro-kitara-youth-join-industrial-hub/
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