No fewer than 16 young graduates of Engineering, Geosciences and related academic disciplines were in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt to undergo opening formalities for the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited Nigerian Content Human Capital Development (NC-HCD) programme on the back of provision of coiled tubing and nitrogen pumping services for oil and gas industry operations.
The 12-month programme, designed to train the young graduates on how to deploy joint less steel pipes for cleaning, repairs and stimulation of oil and gas wells and in the use of specialized equipment for conversion of liquid nitrogen into high-pressure nitrogen gas, has intensive classroom sessions and on-the-job training, with appropriate certifications.
A statement by NCDMB which was made available to Maritime Bits disclosed that for the duration of the programme, the trainees would begin with entrepreneurship and business development, presentation and communication skills, Nigerian content awareness, digital literacy, introduction to oil and gas, budget training, confined space training, and NEBOSH International Technical Certificate, and then proceed to project management, drilling and completions technology, and well intervention and control, among other courses.
NCDMB Manager, HCD, Mrs. Tarilate Teide-Bribena in her opening remark, stated that the NC-HCD programme was for highly specialised training that would equip the young graduates with world-class skills in multiple competencies.
She pointed out that the Board is intentional in determining the trainings for young graduates, ensuring that they align adequately with its mandate to build local capacity, deepen Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry, and create opportunities that drive national economic growth.
Her words: “This programme delivered in partnership with Total Energies Limited, is a deliberate investment in you. It is a statement of belief in your potential….What you do with it is what will matter.”
She commended Total Energies for its evident commitment to development of Nigerian talents, noting that the company is helping to shape human capability, build confidence in the young graduates and also strengthening the future of the oil and gas industry.
Also speaking, Total Energies Deputy General Manager, Nigerian Content Division, Ms. N. Okonkwo said the NC-HCD programme reflects a shared commitment of her company and the NCDMB to “strengthening Nigerian Content, building sustainable human capacity, and fostering strategic collaboration” across the organisations.
According to her, the companies are taking deliberate steps towards nurturing local talent and enhancing technical expertise in the industry, and would appreciate active participation and steadfast commitment by all stakeholders, including the trainees. You are not here just to learn a job; you’re here to build habits, character, and confidence..
In his own remarks, a representative of Poseidon Energy Services Limited, a partner company in the NC-HCD programme, Chief Alex Nwaiawe, charged the trainees to be at their best and to avoid the tendency of undervaluing whatever is offered at no cost.
According to Nwaiawe, when people get things free, they tend not to value it. This training is a step into the future.”
Also speaking, Mr. Daniel Dents of Total Energies expressed appreciation to NCDMB for making opportunities for capacity development available to Nigerian youths, citing its enabling statute, Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010, and Guidelines by the Board.
He said Total Energies was equally glad for being part of the HCD programmes and empowerment of citizens as it complies fully with the provisions of the Act.
