EACOP’s Commitment to Talent Development Showcased at the 2nd Oil and Gas Skills Expo 2024

EACOP was proud to partner with the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) for the 2nd Oil and Gas Skills Expo, held from August 22nd to 23rd, 2024, at the CTF Grounds, Kyambogo University. The event, themed “Training and Skilling: Unlocking Employment Opportunities in the Oil and Gas Sector and Beyond,” brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and young professionals to discuss the future of talent development in Uganda’s oil and gas sector.

During the Expo, EACOP was represented by Ms. Merian Ahabwe, the National Content Manager. She participated in a panel discussion highlighting EACOP’s ongoing efforts to nurture and develop local talent. She shared that EACOP has sent over 14 graduate trainees to countries including China, Turkey, Egypt, and India for advanced training. “EACOP is committed to nurturing talent by providing our interns and graduate trainees with international exposure to cutting-edge technology. We’re not just enhancing their skills—we’re preparing them to excel in the global oil and gas industry,” she stated. She also emphasized the importance of excellence and character in securing opportunities within the industry, expressing optimism that these qualities would help trainees secure positions in the competitive oil and gas sector.

The Expo’s Chief Guest, Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, State Minister of Mineral Development, visited the EACOP booth, where she engaged with Mr. John Bosco Habumugisha, EACOP’s Deputy Managing Director. He highlighted EACOP’s active role in training interns and graduates, offering them 3-6 month placements in various oil and gas companies both locally and internationally. These internships are designed to provide essential experience, increasing the likelihood of securing permanent positions within the industry.

Hon. Nyamutoro underscored the significance of national content in Uganda’s rapidly growing oil and gas sector, noting that by June 2024, over 90% of the 14,607 individuals employed in the sector were Ugandan, with 4,995 locals directly employed. This success, she noted, is proof of the effective implementation of Uganda’s national content policy, which aims to maximize Ugandan participation in the oil and gas value chain. She emphasized the importance of human capital development, noting that over 14,000 Ugandans have received training in critical areas such as engineering, welding, and mechanical trades, skills vital for the sector’s continued growth.

Hon. Nyamutoro concluded by encouraging participants to seize the opportunities presented by the oil and gas sector, particularly as Uganda anticipates the first oil in 2025. She stressed that events like the Oil and Gas Skills Expo are crucial for fostering dialogue, sharing knowledge, and ensuring that the employment and skilling of Ugandans remain central to the industry’s growth.