By Adeola Akinbobola
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has inaugurated a committee to review policies, curricula and industry integration at its skills centre.
PTDF Executive Secretary, Prof. Shuaibu Aliyu, inaugurated the committee on Thursday in Abuja to accelerate full operationalisation of the Centre.
Aliyu said the initiative would strengthen Nigeria’s technical workforce for the oil, gas and wider energy sectors.
He said the committee would review the centre’s systems and operations, identify gaps and recommend measures for optimal utilisation.
Aliyu said the Centre for Skills Development and Training (CSDT), Port Harcourt, was established following findings from a PTDF skills audit.
He said the audit identified significant shortages of qualified technical manpower, particularly in technical and middle-level occupations across the oil and gas industry.
“The centre is designed to provide competency-based vocational training and internationally recognised certifications for technicians,” he said.
According to him, the centre is 98 per cent complete, with an administrative building, auditorium, library and hostels.
He said the facility also has staff quarters, a canteen, power and water infrastructure, alongside other supporting facilities.
Aliyu said the centre had been used for activities under PTDF’s Overseas Scholarship Scheme and In-Country Scholarship Scheme.
He added that the facility had also hosted various training programmes. “The committee’s terms of reference include developing an operational policy and management framework for the Centre,” he said.
He said the committee would also design competency-based curricula aligned with industry requirements.
“Others are appropriate training, assessment and certification systems, establishing pathways for internships, apprenticeships, employment and entrepreneurship, amongst others,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Prof. Emmanuel Kachikwu, pledged to deliver a comprehensive review and operationalisation framework.
Kachikwu said skills development remained essential to economic growth and Africa’s effective participation in the global energy transition.
Other committee members include Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) Chairman, Mr Christopher Osarunwense.
A representative of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr Folorunsho Akande, is also a member.
Others include Green Energy International Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, and Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, Mr Festus Osifo. (NAN)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo