NigerDock deepens international accreditation for low-skill oil workers

The skill-gap in the oil sector which has militated against increased application of local content is getting keen attention from NigerDock, a member of Jagal Energy, an indigenous energy services company as it announced plans to ramp up international accreditation certification for oil workers.

NigerDock says its next step in human capacity development in the sector is to draw up a competency mapping which is a system for measuring competency and capability, develop a transportable certification and increase internationally acceptable certification especially for low-skill workers.

Course such as welding, fabrication, rig activities, scaffolding, electrical projects and project management will see an increased commitment towards achieving international accreditation so that trainees will have the competency and certification to work anywhere and on any project on account of the international certification.

“In the past what used to be obtainable is that you get a NigerDock certified level three rigger for example and some may be skeptical but if it is international certification, it increases level of assurance and competence,” said Chris Bennett, group managing director of Jagal.

He further said, “We decided long time ago to move towards international certification, what we wanted to do was to make sure that our people are competent across all levels.”

Simbi Kesiye Wabote, executive secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB who came along with his management team and some representatives of international oil companies on a facility tour of Niger Dock in Snake Island, Free Trade Zone Lagos on December 1 said the plans of the company resonated well with him.

“I have always said you don’t train for training sake, it has to be relevant and not just on a skill only useful in that organisation.

“I think your plans and ours are aligned, it resonates with me and we can partner to improve local competence of our people so they can function anywhere,” said Wabote.

NigerDock Training facility consists of workshops and machining rooms that are fully equipped with welding booths, pipe-fitting benches, lathes, milling machines, fully equipped classrooms, an ICT room and a comprehensive technical library.

To date this facility has trained over 6,000 personnel in a range of skills including Project Management, Quality, Occupational Health and Safety, Welding, Fitting, Painting and Coating, Machining, Lifting and Rigging and Scaffolding.

Training is conducted by Subject Matter Experts to international standards through a combination of theoretical, practical and most importantly “on-the-job” training underpinned by a focus on safety, quality and workplace values.

ISAAC ANYAOGU