WAV Builds Capacity of Future Oil Industry Workers

Peter Uzoho
As part of effort to encourage participation of more Nigerians in the oil and gas industry, West African Ventures has trained 26 youths in different operational areas of the oil and gas sector to ensure effective implementation of the human capacity development plan of the National Content Development Monitoring Board (NCBMB).

The 20 months intensive training which took place in Lagos, Warri, and Offshore facilities, between August 2016 and April 20, 2018, was designed to achieve competence building (Classroom Training) and on‐the‐job training in order to raise the capacity of young Nigerians intending to work in the oil and gas industry.

With partnership from Chevron and the NCDMB, under the Sonam Development Project Pipeline and Okan Pig Receiver Platform Transport and Installation contract (SONAM/NC HCD), the beneficiaries of the programme included graduates, artisans and tutors selected in line with the requirement of the NCDMB human capacity development guidelines.

Out of the 26 beneficiaries, 18 were professionals: four trained in cost control, two in document control, four in HSE, two in Construction, two in Engineering, and four in QAQC, while the remaining eight were trained under the artisans’ category as welders.

Speaking at the close-out ceremony in Lagos, Deputy Managing Director, West African Ventures, Mr. Michael Amaeshike, explained that the training was also set up to fulfill in part, the requirement of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010, which demands provision of additional human resources capacity development for some categories of Nigerian citizens outside the contractor personnel, in the course of executing a major project.

Amaeshike who disclosed that over $550, 000 was expended on the programme, added; “West African Ventures went all out to train the lucky participants given its belief in retaining value in the country since the future of the sector lies in the hands of Nigerians who are attuned to development.”

Commenting on the programme, Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Simbi Wabote, represented by the Manager, Human Capital Development, NCDMB, Mr. Maurice Iwhiwhu, said the training marked a water-shed in the delivery of the mandate of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and praised West African Ventures and Chevron for providing a platform for the training and development of young Nigerians.

While noting that the training will go a long way in creating a sustainable industry, Wabote pointed out that the competency of all trainees was assessed quarterly at the close of training using the various NCDMB assessment evaluation sheets and were also carried out in agreement with Client Representative – Chevron and the representative of the Board.

The Company Secretary, WAV, Mr. Stanley Onuosa, said two of the professionals were offered automatic employment in WAV in line with the company’s decision to retain local value retaining local value, noting that one of the artisans had been retained by the training school, Glassfa Continental Limited.
One of the trainees, Temilade Adeoye, who was trained on cost control, said the training has exposed her to more knowledge and skill that would be helpful to her in her future endeavours.