Government will in the new financial year expand funding towards skills development within the fledgling oil and gas sector as part of the wider strategy to grow employment and incomes among young people.
As Uganda expects the Final Investment Decision (FID) by the Joint Venture Partners (JVPs) in a few months’ time, government says that special skilling fund is in the offing for Ugandans to benefit from the oil and gas sector through employment.
Mr Alex Kakooza, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, says the funds will strengthen the resource pool in the country so that local content is realised.
Mr Kakooza said that Uganda needs to rain people on international standards in scaffolding welding and others to work in the industry.
Ms Betty Jackie Namubiru, the Local Content Expert in the oil and gas sector heading the National Content department at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) says domestic capacity must be stout in order for Ugandans to benefit from the nascent oil found in the Albertine Graben.
This call was during an event in which four vocational training institutions of Kiryandongo, Iganga, Kibasi and Nawanyango received international certifications to commence global training in oil and gas.
Before, City and Guild accredited institutions will initially use part of the $21m skills development facility available with the private sector, according to Ms Ruth Biyinzika Musoke, Head Project, Skills Development Facility at the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU).
