Why can't training and oilfield development progress simultaneously? Crafts like welding are both art and science. It is not enough if a trainee gets a qualification from a training school, he or she also has to continually practice and perform jobs, so that he becomes competent and the art of welding becomes second nature. Here, the Oil & Gas project offers immense scope to practice, earn and hone his skills within the country and almost immediately.

Once they get the skills, confidence and jobs, our Ugandan craftsmen can compete and contribute in international markets. It’s important to note that the acquired skills will make the individual marketable not only locally but also regionally (with the oil and gas activities in Sudan, Congo, and expected in Kenya) and Internationally. Uganda should be able to export these resources to the middle east…

In any Major oil field development projects, it should be noted that typically 70% of the man hours and over 80% of the costs associated with development of a field are expended by contractors and suppliers. Therefore, it is obvious that they have a huge role in resourcing the projects. Their competence in critical areas is fundamental for successful project delivery.For certain specific type of disciplines, local contractors have better understanding of the uncertainty than an overseas company.

Also, by utilizing the local resource, the operator will be able to control manpower cost to a large extent. In view of this, Production Sharing Contracts stipulates that a certain minimum local content is mandatory in all contracts. The Government has also specified the minimum local content in these contracts. Now, it is up to the Government, industry, educational institutes, private organizations like Conexus to work together and make Governments' vision of local content a reality...

Now we will conclude what the centre of excellence, Mangala in India has achieved: Success story. Outcome of the program included among other things: • Impacted more than 4,000 youth of Barmer through Skill development with 80% placement. • On the Job Training and Placement linkages in reputed Companies. • 360° Development oriented approach with soft skills, English & Digital Literacy • Offering vocational training in more than 1,600 job roles. • Focused training for ‘DIVYANG’ (Physically handicapped) candidates. • Changing lives with the training of Mason helpers at remote villages. • More than 1,500 Women were trained. As the centre gathered momentum, support was garnered from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Government of Rajasthan to further develop local talent and vendors.

Gradually and significantly this program was expanded by adding several satellite centres in adjacent districts to link youths to employment opportunities. Since its inception, over 12,000 students have been trained in various vocational and enterprise development skills.

Some of the vocational courses taught at the centre include Advance Electrician, Basic Computers, Mobile Repairing, Welding, Masonry, Domestic Electrical Repairing and trainings in BPO. The centre also enhances employability skills for graduate students in the district, through a specially targeted program; this also saw the establishment of computer labs and classrooms in the two government colleges near Mangala Project site.

The existing vocational training institutes are being supported through improving the quality of education and industry interface through this centre. Two separate training centres were established for providing training to women in some of the core areas suited for women like garment manufacturing and call centres. As evident from the above, Mangala project is a standing example that a big oil field development project is a huge opportunity to develop various skills of local community and improve their employability, not only in oil industry but also in various associated infrastructure sectors.

Success of such an initiative grossly depend on the involvement of government agencies, to ensure the funds allocated for the CSR initiatives by the Operators are well utilized and if necessary, meet addition costs by releasing funds from sovereign accounts.

Please note that, Technical Team within Conexus oil and gas consists of personnel who were directly involved in Mangala Project in senior leadership roles. This team is offering to develop a similar Centre of Excellence in Uganda to support development of local talent and unlock the opportunities available to local community in Uganda.