Nigerian Government delegation visits SAIW

15 October 2009

Nigeria has one of the biggest oil and gas industries in the world and a huge requirement for welders. The SAIW was the obvious choice to partner with the NIW to help in the training programme as it is the most equipped welding training facility on the continent.

The PTDF, which was established in 1973 with the mandate to build capacity and acquire technology for the Nigerian oil and gas industry, is in the process of providing funds to the NIW to ensure the success of the project. The PTDF also intends to support the NIW to attain its Authorised National Body (ANB) status.

Building capacity in the Nigerian oil and gas industry requires a broad spectrum of activity, says Jacqueline Guyil head of the PTDF delegation. Of course education and training is central to this process. In this regard we have several initiatives under way including the Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) where we train students at top English universities in oil and gas related programmes, the training of engineers in software applications used in the oil and gas industry and the upgrading of various departments in Nigerian federal universities and institutions to provide space, equipment, books and other vital equipment to ensure the best possible results of those entering the industry. We are also currently upgrading the Petroleum Training Institute and, of course, the welding train the trainers’ programme is vital to the ultimate success of the entire programme, she says.

The train the trainers’ programme was set in motion after a survey undertaken by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) revealed that more than 2500 welders were required in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. We knew that the best way to accomplish this was to train trainers who could then, in turn, train the vast number of welders we require, says Solomon Edebiri NIW President adding that this model is in line with the PTDF’s local content philosophy of developing programmes for the transfer of high-level skills to local people.

Edebiri says that to accomplish this, the obvious partner for the NIW was the SAIW. The SAIW is very accomplished in welding training and, moreover, they are an Authorised National Body (ANB) of the International Institute of Welding (IIW) which is a significant bonus given that the ultimate aim of the welding programme is to standardise the quality of welding throughout the country to (IIW) standards.

Initially we are going to train 10 welders to International Welding Practitioner (IWP) level and 10 to International Welding Supervisor (IWS) level and eventually 10 of the 20 to the level of International Welding Engineer (IWE), says Edebiri.

According to Guyil, the PTDF’s due diligence visit to the SAIW was a success. The SAIW are so integral to the programme, we decided to come and see for ourselves what they’re all about. It was immediately apparent that this is a highly professional organisation and we are fully satisfied that they are competent to perform the task as required in conjunction with the NIW.