Govt to consider hiring foreign oil workers
The President said oil is just an appetiser, the real business is transforming the economy to a modern one based on the four sectors of, Industry, services, and ICT and Agriculture.
What you need to know:
- She said government has made the necessary preparations to ensure Ugandans can tap in to the oil sector opportunities but said there was a lack of international accredited centres to train Ugandans.
- Mr Bernard Ongodia, the Principle of the Uganda Institute of Petroleum, said in order for one to be certified to participate in the oil industry, there was need for some experience.
KAMPALA. President Museveni has said government might consider hiring experienced labour from other oil producing countries because of the current shortfall in the skills needed for the sector.
Mr Museveni said the foreigners can be brought to train Ugandans for one year if Uganda is to meet the oil production timeline of 2020.
“If the people [foreigners] around us can come and work for one year as we skill our people, then nothing will delay us,” the president said.
Mr Museveni was responding to the Energy Minister, Ms Irene Muloni, during the Skilling and Local content forum organised by the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
Mr Museveni urged the investors to set up private technical schools to train and skill Ugandans in oil and gas activities.
“Having more investors setting up private technical skills starting with oil and gas but rolling out to other sectors of the economy will provide Ugandans with the relevant skills the necessary certification required to take part in oil and gas activities,” he said.
The President said oil is just an appetiser, the real business is transforming the economy in to a modern one based on the four sectors of, Industry, services, and ICT and Agriculture.
According Ms Muloni, the oil sector expects to create at least 167,000 jobs at the peak of the activities.
Of this she said 60 per cent will be employed as technicians and welders, 25 per cent un skilled labour and 15 per cent will be specialised labour.
However, Ms Muloni said time is not on our side. “We need to prepare ourselves so that Ugandans can benefit from the $20 billion spend that will happen in the next 3 to 5 years,” she said.
She said government has made the necessary preparations to ensure Ugandans can tap in to the oil sector opportunities but said there was a lack of international accredited centres to train Ugandans.
Mr Bernard Ongodia, the Principle of the Uganda Institute of Petroleum, said in order for one to be certified to participate in the oil industry, there was need for some experience.
“Certification has a time frame, you need to be working in order to get certified,” he said.
Mr Elly Karuhanga, the chairman of the chamber of mines and petroleuym, said skilling takes time.
“We have to figure out how to keep a significant percentage of the oil investments in Uganda. The Chamber will continue to engage the state, through a special committee, to ensure that the upcoming Local Content law addresses our concerns,” he said.
