Ghana mulls National Petroleum Training Institute after study trip to Scotland
Strong indications have emerged on plans by the Ghanaian authorities to set up National Petroleum Training Institute (NPTI).
The idea stemmed from a recent successful understudy of Aberdeen Skills and Enterprise Training Limited (ASET), which is an International Oil and Gas Training Academy in Scotland.
Business Hilights recalls that Ghanaian government, as part of drive to deepen knowledge and capacity in the industry, recently went on study tour of oil installations and related infrastructure in Europe along with about 40 officials from major indigenous oil and gas companies.
Explaining more to Business Hilights Bureau Chief in Ghana, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Petroleum Commission (GPC), and leader of the delegation, Mr. Egbert Faibille, revealed that the idea of setting up the Petroleum Training Institute came up during a consultative meeting with Mr Atholl Menzies, ASET Chief Executive at Aberdeen, Scotland.
He noted that the Commission has developed several strategies to increase in-country value retention and boost Ghanaian participation in the upstream sector, and that, the establishment of a training institution would fast track the capacity and skills development in the upstream petroleum sector.
According to him, the Commission seeks to further build the capacity of local companies in technical areas to improve their competitiveness in the upstream petroleum industry.
Apart from planning to set up the institution, Faibille has invited ASET to undertake similar mission to Ghana to assess facilities across board in the upstream sector and advise Ghana going forward as part of the growing collaboration.
In his remarks, Menzies disclosed that ASET is a wholly owned subsidiary company of North East Scotland College, and operates mainly on a commercial basis for the Oil and Gas and Construction industries in Process, Maintenance Engineering, Electrical and Ex Hazardous Areas, Emergency Response, Marine, including DP and Stability and Scaffolding on a worldwide basis.
Menzies, ASET Chief Executive averred that ASET trains upstream and downstream Oil and Gas Production and Maintenance Technicians; New entrants; Industry Apprentices; Semi-experienced Technicians; Experienced Technicians; Senior Management including Offshore Installation Manager and Control Room Operator; Dynamic Positioning Operators Semi-Submersible; and Jack-Up Rig Operational Personnel.
Besides, ASET also offers training in Electrical; Emergency Response; Marine and Radiotelephony; Health and Safety; Assessor and Verifier Qualifications among others.
He said ASET’s exclusive range of City and Guilds credit rated and levelled Oil and Gas short courses allow delegates attending these courses the opportunity to demonstrate their ongoing professional development.
Additional details on the Ghanaian Oil and Gas trade mission to Scotland showed that new partnerships are being consummated with Scottish companies interested in supporting Ghanaian oil and gas production, share operational experiences related to best practices and explore possible joint venture strategic partnerships.
It was gathered that Mr Stephen Sekyere-Abankwa, Board Chairman of the Petroleum Commission; Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, Deputy Minister of Energy; Egbert Fabille Junior, Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission are leading the about 100 delegates from both upstream and downstream sector.
The mission is on the bills of the Petroleum Commission, Ghana; United Kingdom/Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UK-GCC); and the Scottish Development International (SDI), the overseas trade arm of Scottish Enterprise.
