200 youths selected for international skilling in oil and gas sector

The group was selected through a competitive Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) which attracted 13,000 applicants. It comprises youths from different parts of the country and academic institutions, who will join the Tilenga Academy training programme.

Training will go on for two and a half years starting at the Uganda Petroleum Institute in Kigumba (UPIK), after which the trainees will proceed to international oil and gas training centres, and thereafter, a hands-on experience during Tilenga project installation and commissioning.

At the ceremony held in Kampala where the trainees were unveiled, Total Energy also unveiled the key courses they would be taking. They include theoretical training in oil and gas, maintenance, production, health, safety, and environment.

Training also involves all-around skills that will enable them to work anywhere in the world in the industry and in the East African region where oil and gas exploration are taking root.

The trainees are expected to specialise in different areas, 31 percent in production, 27 percent in mechanical maintenance, 26 percent in instrumentation maintenance, and 16 percent in electrical maintenance.

50 trainees hail from the oil and gas districts of Masindi, Buliisa, Hoima, Nwoya, and other EACOP districts. 46 trainees are women.

According to the general manager of Total, Philippe Groueix, the plan was always to include Ugandan nationals in the budding sector.

“When we launched the Tilenga MOOC in 2021, our objective was clear, to ensure that we maximise awareness and participation of Ugandans in the oil and gas sector. I am particularly proud to highlight the diversity of the selected trainees,” he said.

Oscar Muhumuza, a lecturer at UPIK, said they have the capacity to accommodate over 400 students and will cooperate with Total to enhance general capacity.

The trainees will be handled in two phases, the first group of 100 trainees will be mobilised to work on Tilenga sites in the first quarter of 2025, while the second group will be mobilised in the second quarter.