By Our Reporter
CNOOC Uganda Limited has launched the Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers Training and Licensing Program 2022 that will see 110 drivers trained, licensed and certified to professionally drive heavy goods trucks and trailers (class CH License) or rigid trucks (class CM license) in accordance with the East African community curriculum.
The training will be executed by Uganda Driving Standards Agency (UDSA) on behalf of CNOOC to meet the skills gaps in the logistics and transportation competencies especially in the oil and gas sector in Uganda.
This training will enable the drivers to explore and acquire more expertise in Heavy Goods Vehicles Driving and Road Safety which is well in line with the national content promotion guidelines.
The selection of trainees in this particular cohort was undertaken in partnership with Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom that supported the identification and selection of trainees from 8 districts of Kikuube, Hoima, Masindi, Buliisa, Kiryandongo, Kakumiro, Kibaale and Kagadi together with the implementing service provider Uganda Driving Standards Agency(UDSA).
The partnership with the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom was aimed at Host Community content enhancement for potential beneficiaries from the Bunyoro Sub-Region that hosts the Kingfisher Project.
Mr. Mathew Kyaligonza, the National Content Manager CNOOC Uganda Limited explained that the training is aimed at supporting local HGV drivers to obtain required driving licenses (class CH license for truck and trailer or class CM license for rigid trucks) so that they are eligible for transportation and logistics related jobs in the oil & gas and other sectors as well as enhance the knowledge and practice of professional driving among Ugandan HGV drivers.
Rt. Hon. Andrew Byakutuga Ateenyi, the Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom stated that, “We are grateful for the partnership between CNOOC Uganda Limited and Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and we look forward to more opportunities of working together. We want our people to be skilled enough so that we can gain from the oil and gas resource.”
In addition, this year, CNOOC Uganda Limited is sponsoring the training and Certification of 160 Welders in 2G,3G,4G, 5G and 6G Coded welding to AWS international standards, 84 Teachers in the Train the Trainer program that included 5 certified programs for teachers from different Ugandan Vocational Training institutions (VTIs), 150 -200 SMEs in the Enterprise development program, the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) training and certification of 60 participants that shall provide the engineering construction industry workforce the skills it needs to meet the challenges of the future enabling development and qualification in a wide range of craft, technical and professional disciplines.