TotalEnergies EP Uganda on Tuesday launched the Tilenga Academy training program at the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK)
The initiative aims to equip 200 Ugandan youths with the skills and internationally recognized certifications needed to contribute to the Tilenga project during its production phase. The program spans 2.5 years and will be delivered in multiple stages.
The first 100 trainees will begin their journey in April 2024
This initial phase will provide a strong foundation through theoretical courses covering oil and gas fundamentals, production processes, maintenance procedures, and essential health, safety, and environmental practices.
To ensure specialization, the trainees will be divided into groups focusing on Production (31%), Mechanical Maintenance (27%), Instrumentation Maintenance (26%), and Electrical Maintenance (16%).
Following the UPIK training, the program will elevate participants' knowledge and experience through sessions at international oil and gas training centers. This will be complemented by practical, hands-on involvement during the construction phase of the Tilenga Project, allowing them to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. A second cohort is scheduled to begin their Tilenga Academy training in October 2024.
Speaking at the training's commencement, Mr. Philippe GROUEIX, General Manager, TotalEnergies EP Uganda explained why they picked UKIP for the program.
“We have standards that we need to implement and we are entrusting UPIK to meet that standard,” he said.
“We saw some of the equipment that they are using in their workshops to support the students, and the quality of accommodation for the students and we are very happy. We believe this will be a very fruitful partnership.”
The program, Mr GROUIX said, is expected to contribute significantly towards the development of local capacity in the oil and gas industry at such a crucial time when the country is scaling up oil and gas activities.
According to Mr Bernad Ongodia, the UKIP Principal, TotalEnergues has invested a great deal in resources as part of the training initiative.
“We want to thank TotalEnergies for enhancing our infrastructure facilities, including setting up a health facility and procuring more training equipment and the spacious students accommodation, which was not even in the contract,” he said.
The academy training launch was presided over by Mr Ernest Rubondo, the Executive Director, of the Petroleum Authority Uganda (PAU).
In his remarks, Rubondo commended the rapid development that has taken place at UKIP over the past years.
Rubondo was part of the team that President Museveni tasked to set up the Kigumba Institute in the late 2000s.
“I am very happy to say that what we have seen here today is very similar to the other petroleum training institutes that we have seen around the world,” he said.
“When we were starting, we visited institutes in the UK, Malaysia, the Middle East and the Far East and the things we saw there are very well duplicated… I can even say even better here at UKIP,” he said.
Ms. Sunday Aber, one of the students also testified to the great environment that has been provided at the institute.
“The services that have been provided to us have been top-notch in regards accommodation facilities which are very spacious, the meals, we also have co-curricular activities which keep us interactive,” she said.
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