Aberdeen-based international oil and gas skills body Opito is to help build the energy workforce in Iraq.
Opito said yesterday it had signed a landmark memorandum of understanding with Iraq’s ministry for oil, training and development directorate to help the war-torn country to develop the skills and training necessary to enable exploitation of its oil and gas resources.
Opito estimates the country will require a skilled workforce of about 600,000. It will work with the ministry to understand the skill needs and provide specialist guidance and support to help the country build a world-class learning infrastructure.
This will make sure the people of Iraq can obtain the skills, knowledge and qualifications needed to get access to jobs in the country’s oil and gas industry for now and in the future.
Opito will also establish a workforce development framework for Iraq based on its global standards and qualifications. Initially, it will work on the development of four national oil training institutes in Baghdad, Tikrit, Kirkuk and Basra.
Opito chief executive David Doig said: “This is an exciting opportunity for Opito and acknowledgement of the high regard in which our standards are held globally.
“But, more importantly, this is a major step forward for the people of Iraq, who if they are to successfully rebuild their country must create a safe, sustainable and profitable oil and gas industry.
“Working in partnership with the government and the industry in Iraq, we will set out a broad strategy which will help build the skills base through use of standards and qualifications, best practice and proven learning products.
“The memorandum of understanding reinforces our reputation as a global influencer and recognised authority on oil and gas skills. It is also another step forward in our overall aim of establishing one common set of industry standards for safety and competency in oil and gas around the world.”
Iqdam Hashim al Shadeedi, director general for the training and development directorate, said: “We are absolutely delighted with and place a high value on this partnership. It will be a significant factor in developing the skills of the Iraq nation and ensuring world-class industry standards and qualifications. It represents the first steps in rebuilding our nation’s workforce and reputation.”
Opito is owned by the oil and gas industry. With operations in Aberdeen, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur, it delivers standards, qualifications and workforce development frameworks used by employers in 30 countries.
