PTDF partners refineries for post training of 75 WTCP

Augustine Okezie Abuja

About Seventy Five (75) beneficiaries of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Welders Training and Certification Programme (WTCP) have commenced a Six month Post training attachment at the Kaduna and Warri refineries under a partnership scheme with the four (4) major refining and petrochemical companies to facilitate on-the-job experience for PTDF trained welders.

A press release which was signed by the fund’s Head of Press and External Relations, Kalu Otisi and made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday said the Petroleum Technology Development Fund has trained more than One thousand (1,000) Nigerians at different levels of welding with International Institute of Welding Certification, including the Manual Metal Arc welding covering Fillet, Plate and Pipe welds and the Advanced and Specialized welding processes.

He also maintained that the post training attachment will expose the skills and competencies of the participants to the industry, provide opportunity for them to practice their vocations in an industry environment and enhance their employability and absorption by the industry. This according to him is because welding and fabrication constitute 80% of the activities in the Oil and Gas industry and that the Federal Government’s local content drive aims at complete domiciliation of welding and fabrication activities in the industry.

Earlier while speaking at the handover of the batch of 50 PTDF trained welders attached to the Warri refinery under the Scheme, the Executive Secretary, PTDF, Dr Bello Aliyu Gusau said the Post training attachment programme will develop the proficiency of the trainees in industrial welding and open up opportunities for their engagement in the industry:

He said “This is an opportunity for our trained vocational skills graduates to receive on the job practical training for six months, and by such exposure, it is our expectation that the industry will appreciate the value that they will create and add to their operations, and if they do well, it will also be an avenue for them to be absorbed by the industry”

The Executive Secretary who was represented by the Head, Gas Division, Nigerian Content and Industry Collaboration Department, PTDF, Mr Peter Egheneji also disclosed that lots of opportunities exist in the mid and downstream segments of the oil and gas sector in on-going and future projects in the industry.