KAMPALA – One hundred (100) young Ugandans are commencing advanced studies in Oil & Gas operations and maintenance in France, Malaysia, and Oman in preparation for their future deployment on the Tilenga project during the production phase. This group represents the initial cohort from a total of 200 trainees selected through the Tilenga Academy Massive Open Online Course conducted in 2022.
This transformative journey began in April 2024 with initial training for the students at Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK). The 2.5-year program included theoretical and practical training in Oil and Gas Production, Maintenance, and Health, Safety, and Environment, conducted by UPIK and Dietsmann, the Maintenance, Operations and Execution Contractor.
After successfully completing the first phase of training, the students are being sent to France, Malaysia and Oman to acquire additional training and international certification in Production, Electrical, Mechanical, Production and Instrumentation.
“We are exceptionally proud of the progress achieved by our selected students. The Academy program is structured to provide them with extensive training, equipping them with essential skills and international certifications necessary for their roles in this significant project once production commences. Our partnerships with leading institutions in Uganda and abroad ensure that our students receive the highest quality training and exposure. This initiative underscores our commitment to developing Ugandan talent and creating shared value for Uganda.” Philippe Groueix, General Manager TotalEnergies EP Uganda
The international training will happen for a period of 18 weeks in the respective countries, followed by 5 weeks for all the students in France. The students will then receive an Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization certification increasing their employability across the globe. The next cohort of 100 students who commenced their UPIK training in October 2024 will also receive similar exposure upon completion of their program later this year.
Rania Birungi, a female trainee in the Tilenga Academy expressed her excitement and anticipation saying that, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I have been given to make a significant contribution to my country and build a rewarding career for myself. I am grateful to the TotalEnergies EP Uganda team for this chance. Dreams do come true.”
Once the training is completed, the trainees will be deployed in various specialized positions: 29% in Production, 23% in Mechanical Maintenance, 23% in Instrumentation Maintenance, 14% in Electrical Maintenance, 6% in Laboratory and 1% in Inspection.
ABOUT THE TRAINING INSTITUTIONS
TLS/Oleum, France
Located in the heart of the TotalEnergies industrial sites of Mardyck and La Mède, the two OLEUM centers rely on industry-scale process training facilities to offer specific technical training programs designed for industrial professions linked to energies. With the requirements of high quality and continuous development, they deliver certificated training as well as a syllabus that is eligible for apprenticeships, in the domain of operations, maintenance, inspection and safety. Particularly relying upon partnerships to expand the training portfolio provided to its customers. In either face to face, virtual classrooms or through blended programs, the best pedagogical platform is offered, with safe and secured field practices. OLEUM centers are part of the TotalEnergies Learning Solutions (TLS) organization, the training organization of the TotalEnergies company.
INSTEP (Petronas Training Center), Malaysia
Commited to being a solutions partner to talents in the energy industry and beyond, Institut Teknologi Petroleum PETRONAS (INSTEP) is passionately pushing boundaries in accelerating competency development through providing experiential learning, meaningfully improving the quality of life, contributing to business and sustainability development.
Established in 1981, they have grown tremendously into an internationally recognised technical learning solutions partner with customers’ presence from over 50 countries and have produced more than 156,000 job-ready technical workforce serving in more than 30 refinery & petrochemical plants and 100 platforms globally. They continuously push their boundaries to provide innovative solutions to technical talents, allowing them to grow with their organisation and ultimately, the organisation will reach its full potential.
Their brand promise of “Experiencing is Enriching” is realised when their customers see them as a trusted and preferred solutions partner to help them in transforming “what could be” to “what is”.
TPO (Takatuf & Petrofac joint venture), Oman
TPO is a joint venture founded by Takatuf, the human capital solutions provider, and Petrofac, a world leading oilfield service provider with a 35-year track record in the development of training and competence programmes and facilities.
TPO brings together this international track record and local capability within a new purpose-built centre located in Muscat at the heart of the Oman oil and gas industry.
They provide world-class, internationally accredited development pathways to maximise the growth and capabilities of future and existing personnel in the energy sector. TPO works collaboratively with industry to ensure that they provide the highest quality of training for young trainees, thereby providing organisations with qualified, competent, and job-ready technicians to enter the workforce.
