CPP and EACOP Launch Welding Training Program for Local Trainees!

China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co. Ltd (CPP), the key Feeder Line and above ground installation Contractor for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Project, initiated a comprehensive training program that aims to enhance and impart skills to local trainees for the betterment of pipeline construction.

Focused on Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), this program underscores CPP’s commitment in building economic growth and community development in Tanzania and Uganda. Spanning 1,443 kilometers from Kabaale in Uganda to Tanga, in Tanzania, EACOP Project promises substantial economic benefits for the region. CPP’s SMAW training program, part of its broader initiative, aims to equip local trainees with advanced welding techniques essential for pipeline construction.

The program is split into two batches, with a total of 50 trainees. The program’s first batch of 25 trainees has already commenced, with the second batch scheduled to begin at the end of August. This training is given by a welding specialist instructor from Egypt in collaboration with local/national teachers from Arusha Technical College.

According to EACOP’s Local Content Manager in Tanzania; Ms Neema Kweka, participants in the SMAW training program will develop proficiency in various welding techniques, safety protocols, and quality control measures crucial for maintaining pipeline integrity and safety standards.

She says that the program emphasizes practical hands-on experience with welding equipment and materials, ensuring that trainees are well-prepared for the demands of the EACOP project. Technical standards are rigorously adhered to the training through-out the process, with specific resources allocated to each trainee, including welding and grinding machines, as well as steel plates.

Trainees are trained in welding positions such as 1G (Flat), 2G (Horizontal), 3G (Vertical), and 4G (Overhead), utilizing key welding parameters and adhering to stringent quality control protocols. The SMAW training program is not just about immediate skill enhancement, but also about long term career development. Upon successful completion, participants will be positioned for employment opportunities within the EACOP project, thereby supporting sustainable job creation and economic growth in the country.

“CPP’s commitment extends beyond SMAW training; future plans include expanding training efforts to encompass a variety of specialized skills and disciplines,” Ms Kweka says, noting that diversification aims to build a versatile and highly skilled local workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of the EACOP project. Programs like these are part of the implementation of the vision of local content in the EACOP Project.

The opening ceremony of the SMAW training program marks a significant milestone, symbolizing CPP’s dedication to investing in local talent and fostering a prosperous future for the communities involved. The training will feature demonstrations of advanced welding techniques and testimonials from trainees about their experiences and aspirations.