Petrofac inaugurated its construction skills training centre in Hassi Messaoud, Southern Algeria, following the completion of a programme to upgrade the centre’s facilities. The centre will provide training for the next generation of Algeria’s oil and gas industry workforce, with a capacity to train up to 400 Algerian delegates annually.
The centre was designed, built and will be operated by Petrofac, as part of the company’s commitment to the development of local skills. Petrofac has been active in Algeria since 1997, with more than 85% of its in-country workforce sourced locally.
The training centre’s facilities include modern, well equipped, air-conditioned classrooms and large open workshops with state-of-the art equipment. The curriculum covers five specialist trade areas – instrumentation, electrical, mechanical, pipework and welding – all with a strong emphasis on health and safety. An applied training methodology will provide students with the theoretical knowledge and essential practical skills they need to work in their chosen professional discipline upon graduation.
The inauguration ceremony, which included a guided tour of the facilities, was attended by local government and authority representatives, along with officials from the oil and gas industry.
Graham Mac Millan, senior vice president of North Africa, said: “We are delighted to mark the relaunch and modernisation of this important facility which will deliver best-in-class technical training for the young people of Algeria. The first group of 45 trainees are now developing vital construction skills at the centre. Training enables Petrofac to transfer the company’s deep knowledge and experience in key trades to the local supply chain, which consequently improves the safety and quality of our own projects and of those throughout Algeria. Petrofac is an active and engaged company, and we are keen to participate in future developments in Algeria and maintain our longstanding presence in-country.”
