By Our Reporter
TotalEnergies EP Uganda has launched a free online program dubbed the Tilenga MOOC (Tilenga Massive Open Online Courses) which is aimed at identifying, recruiting, training and developing 120 – 150 talented Ugandans to be able to participate in the country’s Oil and Gas sector.
The successful beneficiaries will be trained over the next four years to become production operators, maintenance, and inspection technicians for the Tilenga project.
The training will be undertaken in partnership with the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK) followed by international training exposure at a TotalEnergies producing site.
Speaking during the Tilenga MOOC launch event at the Kampala Serena Hotel, Mr. Philippe Groueix, General Manager, TotalEnergies EP Uganda revealed that through the Tilenga Project, the company aims at enhancing the competences and capacities of Ugandan companies, Ugandan citizens and registered entities in oil and gas activities to encourage local participation.
“As a truly Ugandan company, our national content strategy is aimed at maximizing the use of Ugandan expertise, goods and services. The Tilenga MOOC is one of such initiatives that will enhance the skills and knowledge of young talented Ugandans interested in participating in the oil and gas sector,” Mr. Groueix said.
Mr. Groueix added that participants will benefit from technical, scientific, and mathematical knowledge. In addition, successful participants will form a pool of young Ugandans with potential to be selected for opportunities in the Tilenga project.
Speaking at the same event, Ms Peninah Aheebwa, the Director Technical Support Services, Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), commended TotalEnergies EP for starting the Tilenga MOOC program because it fits within the overall national content strategy which is designed to promote the participation of Ugandans and Ugandan companies in the oil and gas sector.
“The Authority supports programs that are designed to empower Ugandans to benefit from the opportunities in Uganda’s the oil and gas sector, by giving them the right knowledge and skillset. I thank TotalEnergies for this commendable skilling initiative and urge all Ugandans who meet the criteria for this program and are interested in being part of the transformation of Uganda’s oil and gas industry to embrace it.”
The Tilenga MOOC is open to all Ugandans between the ages of 18 – 28 years with emphasis on people living within Tilenga Project areas. An A ‘level (Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education) is the minimum education level requirement.
Registration for the program is open until January 31st, 2022.