Ten young graduates have started a 12-month training and certification programme on rope access technology under the human capital development (HCD) initiative of Chevron Nigeria Limited and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The training started on Wednesday and will prepare the trainees for rope access operations in difficult-to-reach locations in the oil and gas industry, onshore and offshore. It has five sessions of technical and non-technical modules, including classroom instruction, field practices, and entrepreneurship. Foundational safety is the focus of the beginning phases, while intensive rope access instruction, workshops, and hands-on learning follow.
Exposure to offshore operations in the oil and gas industry for practical understanding and real-world readiness is a critical component of the training programme. Mentorship is also part of it as the trainees are being prepared for technical roles in the industry and linkage sectors, such as maritime, and also for self-employment.
Addressing the trainees at the kick-off ceremony at Park Royal Hotel, Warri, the Manager, Human Capital Development (HCD) of the NCDMB, Mrs Tarilate Teide-Bribena, congratulated the trainees on their success in the competitive screening exercise held earlier in the week.
She reiterated the Board’s commitment to advancing local capacity through skill-focused and industry-aligned training programmes, while urging the trainees to rise up to the challenge by being disciplined and demonstrating seriousness. “At the end of 12 months,” she mused, “we’ll be releasing competence into the industry.”
Mrs. Teide-Bribena commended Chevron for the HCD programme, noting that “they have consistently shown that they are ready to partner the Board, towards ensuring that our vision of building capacity within the oil and gas industry is achieved.”
Earlier in a welcome address, the Nigerian Content Advisor of Chevron, Mr. Iroegbu Obiora, emphasised the uniqueness of the training programme, pointing out that the skills to be acquired would make the trainees stand out wherever they would be. He advised the trainees to be of good behaviour and make the best of the opportunity provided.
He expressed appreciation to the NCDMB for the impact it has made in the industry through its capacity building programmes, and pledged continued collaboration.
Rope access is a safe and dependable method of carrying out work at great heights or other difficult positions, using ropes and harnesses, usually as an alternative to powered platforms.
On the NCDMB team were Mr. Sulaiman Amolegbe, Supervisor, Human Capital Development; Ms. Ayebatari Ebiason, Officer, HCD; and Mr. Foncha Prince, Officer, Corporate Communications Division (CCD).
