13 Graduates Benefit from Siemens' Oil and Gas Training

Siemens Ghana, a subsidiary of global technology powerhouse Siemens, has launched an oil and gas sector Local Content Training programme in Accra. The training programme stems from the local content guidelines of the Petroleum Commission of Ghana (PC) which requires global brands to partner local firms to improve the energy sector.

Speaking at the launch of the programme, the CEO of Siemens Oil and Gas Equipment Ltd. Ghana, Mr. Edmund Acheampong, said the training fulfils Siemens’ commitment to building the capacity of Ghanaians to enhance the outlook of the oil and gas industry, while supporting Ghana’s economic growth particularly in the key focus area of energy. Mr. Acheampong explained that the training programme, which ends in June this year, started off with 300 applications received from universities across the country, with 13 graduate applicants shortlisted and selected after successfully going through a vigorous interview and selection process. He said the graduates were taken through 7000 hours of training in various aspects of engineering and technology in the oil and gas sector, in addition to training in soft skills such as health and safety, ethics and compliance, and quality management among others. He noted that beyond providing training for these young Ghanaian professionals, Siemens would employ up to 3 outstanding students in varied capacities after completion of the training, while the other 10 would be well placed for employment opportunities with their local partner, Draper Oil and Gas, and any other operator in the oil and gas sector. “Siemens Ghana is not just training people so we can hire. We are training people so we can put back into the workforce to be competent and skilled employees in the oil and gas sector. With our rich experience in over 200 countries, Siemens is poised to continue with its work hard and leave a strong footprint of good technology in the oil and gas sector and good corporate responsibility in the countries they participate in,” he said. He praised the government of Ghana for the significant strides it has made in the oil and gas sector, the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and the Petroleum Commission of Ghana (PC), for keeping up to their mandate of ensuring that foreign firms operate within the scope of the local content initiative as established. He cited Ghana as one of Siemens’ key markets, saying that “we want our people to know we are here to stay and contribute to the growth of the energy sector.”

Giving her brief remarks about the programme, Sabine Dall’ Omo, CEO of Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa said Siemens places a high value on training of human capital, adding that through the training programme, the graduates would be well equipped with knowledge and practical skills to work in Siemens and other institutions, as well as help to develop and transform their societies and economies.

The CEO of GNPC, Mr. Alexander Kofi-Mensah Mould, who graced the occasion, said the local content initiative necessitates foreign companies which operate in Ghana to partner with local companies to execute the scope of work. He said for capacity building programmes to impact positively, it is important to combine and maximize technological know-how, human capital and financial resources. He said the GNPC would support good business and ensure that the scope of work as spelt out in the local content initiative, is carried out, mentioning in particular that the GNPC will partner a top-notch organization such as Siemens, to operate successfully in Ghana. He lauded Siemens for giving Ghanaian graduates the opportunity to be trained on the job and contribute their expertise to the oil and gas sector. Mr. Mould said Ghana has the right human capital and as such the Corporation would also partner universities in Ghana and provide funding to improve curriculum, improve teaching and new trends in the field of oil and gas. Siemens Ghana announced its presence in Ghana last year when the company hosted key stakeholders to a VIP event where it announced several investment projects outlined for Ghana’s energy sector through the provision of infrastructure as well as genuine and sustainable social upliftment.