Like many African countries, Tanzania has no shortage of supply of natural oil and gas. However, there is a shortage of skills and experience in this sector within Tanzania. To address this, multinational companies like GE are working hard to empower local people by building valuable skills, and helping to ensure the sustainable development of the country.

Currently Tanzania lacks an adequate number of drillers, engineers, managers, and production and operation workers to support the industry. This need for skills and training is a driving force behind three engineers from the Tanzanian Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) joining other international participants in a four-month training programme at GE Oil & Gas University in Italy.

GE Oil & Gas University is located in Florence, the world-renowned Italian city credited as the birthplace of the Renaissance. The university opened in 2005, and is committed to helping the oil and gas workforce grow by offering skills development focused on operational excellence.

The training provides a complete approach to developing knowledge with courses in four different disciplines: leadership, energy, oil & gas processes and oil & gas equipment. The programme comprises over forty courses, lasting approximately four months.

Oil & Gas University Trains a New Generation of African Engineers

While there is no shortage of natural oil and gas on the continent. There is, however, a shortage of skills and experience in the sector. To address the shortage, multinational companies like GE are working hard to empower local people by building valuable skills, and helping to ensure the sustainable development in countries like Tanzania. More about GE in Africa in this BRIEFING.

Petroleum engineer Fabian Mwose, together with chemical and process engineers Lilian Zambi and Limi Lagu, participated in the training programme in mid-2015 and will apply the knowledge they gained to the oil and gas industry in Tanzania. The mandate of TPDC is to spearhead, facilitate and undertake oil exploration and development in Tanzania, and having the right skills in place to do so is critical for this important work.

The engineers said that they were very pleased with the relevance of the courses offered by GE Oil & Gas, saying it would bring value to their career, and help TPDC build more capable and skilled staff. After completing their studies the engineers returned to Tanzania determined to share their knowledge with the teams they work with.

Against the backdrop of current low oil prices and an economic downturn, training remains as important as ever. Investments in skills development through established programmes such as those offered by GE Oil & Gas University play an important role in helping develop the future workforce.