169 youths complete capacity development programmes

Nigerian Content implementation recorded a boost last week when Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) celebrated the graduation of 169 Nigerians trained on the back of two major projects, with 70 per cent of the trainees getting employed at the conclusion of their programme.

One of the trainings was conducted by Cakasa Nigeria Limited on the Okan GGCP Debottlenecking Project and it had seven participants who were trained for five months in process engineering, document control among others.

Nigerdock also conducted project based trainings for 161 Nigerians on Chevron’s Domestic Supply Obligation gas project and the youths were taught various modules on the construction of heavy topside for two years.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at Nigerdock’s facility in Snake Island, Lagos, the company’s Nigerian Content representative, Mr. Ifeanyi Chime confirmed that 114 of the trainees were retained.

He commended the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Chevron Nigeria Limited for the opportunity to conduct the training and reinstated Nigerdock’s commitment to capacity building and ensuring that more Nigerians acquire skills that will enable them contribute to the development of the oil and gas industry.

Addressing the trainees, the Manager, Human Capacity Development, NCDMB, Mrs. Michele Aiyegbusi explained that raising competent manpower for the oil and gas industry is a core responsibility of the Board, hence it is implementing different programmes to make Nigerian youths skilled and employable by the sector.

She extolled Chevron Nigeria for sponsoring the programmes, noting that it is an obligation that every project executed in the Nigerian oil and gas industry must make allowance for on the job training of young Nigerians.

Aiyegbusi also hailed Nigerdock for the quality of the training it impacted on the youths, particularly for retaining 70 per cent of the trainees to work as staff of the organization.

In her words, “I want to thank Nigerdock for supporting the human capacity building initiatives of the Board which is in tandem with the drive of President Muhammed Buhari’s administration to create jobs for the nation’s teaming youths.”

In her comments, the representative of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Sokoya Olayinka noted that the enactment of the Nigerian Content Act helps bridge the human capacity gaps in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

Sokoya also saluted the diligence exhibited by the trainees which earned 70 per cent of them job placements and advised them to remain focused and committed on their jobs and improve the skills they have acquired.

Speaking on behalf of the group, one of trainees, Mr. Peter Adedeji expressed gratitude to the Board and CNL for the opportunity given to them and promised to put in their best in all they do.