Total, GIZ to train 200 welders in Uganda

Total E&P and the German Cooperation Agency, GIZ have partnered to provide advanced training in welding and related fabrication for the propsed East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline running from Hoima to Tanga, Tanzania.

According to Total E&P’s general manager Adewale Fayemi, the partnership will see at least 200 welders trained to bridge the gap in welding skills in the country, as Uganda gears for the next phase of development.

“But what’s more is that the same skills will be required for other projects such as the refinery but once acquired, Ugandans can also work outside the country,” Fayemi said at the launch of the programme in Kampala.

Fayemi adds that the training is also part of the company’s plan to maximize the use of local manpower, goods and service providers, which is in line with the local content regulations.

Total and GIZ have contracted Q-Sourcing, a human resource and project management company, to offer the advanced wielding courses.  Q-Sourcing managing director Patrick Mbonye has said precedence will be given to artisans who have been doing rudimentary wielding for at least 24 months and have been certificated by a vocational institution.

Q-Sourcing says the programme will start in Lwengo District, one of the districts the pipeline crosses to Tanzania, and later will be rolled out in Buliisa District.

Welders will be trained and certified up to 2G and 4G coded welding levels in line with the industry standards and health, safety and environment training.

Speaking at the same event the executive director of Petroleum Authority of Uganda, Ernest Rubondo said the training will significantly immerse the participation of Ugandans in the oil and gas sector, which the government of Uganda considers to be an extremely important aspect of oil and gas sector.