The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Tuesday marked the graduation of 49 students from its pilot geosciences training program.
The training program which lasted for four months was conducted at Laser Petroleum and Geosciences Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr. Ernest Nwapa commended the students for the zeal they showed in the program, which confirmed their readiness to meet the challenges of oil and gas industry.
The Executive Secretary who was represented by the General Manager, Capacity Building, NCDMB, Engr. Omorede Oviasu explained that the Board sponsored the geosciences training in fulfilment of its human capital development mandate, which requires it to identify skill gaps in the industry and train personnel to fill such gaps.
Describing geosciences as a key area of the industry, Oviasu “said the training program was aimed to improve the students’ abilities and give them easy access into the industry.”
He confirmed that the trainees will be the first set to benefit from the Board’s tutelage program organized in partnership with the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN).
Under the tutelage program, nominees from the Board will be embedded in PETAN-member companies and exposed to on-the-job experiences in the oil and gas industry.
In his words, “the Board has made arrangements to attach all the trainees with PETAN companies so that the knowledge acquired in the classes will be put into practice.”
Oviasu also advised the trainees to show commitment during the attachment program as that will be an excellent opportunity to secure permanent employment with the companies upon the completion of the program. “You are now going to work in the industry as employees of PETAN companies, so you must imbibe core values as it will determine whether you will be accepted to become full employees of the companies,” he added.
In his speech, the General Manager, Laser Petroleum and Geosciences Centre, Mr. Kingsley Ikeji commended the Board for its commitment to the development of human capacity in the oil and gas industry, adding that the right participants were selected for the program.
In his comments, the best graduating trainee, Mr. Afolabi Morakinyo, thanked the Board for the opportunity provided by the training, which he said had exposed him to modern software used in the industry and as such promised to utilize the knowledge garnered from the program to achieve great career advancement in the industry.
