‘Oil Majors Reject Trained Nigerians’—-PTDF

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has alleged that International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria have consistently shunned many young Nigerians trained by the PTDF for the purpose of taking over some essential jobs in the industry.
The General Manager, Nigerian Content, PTDF, Hajiya Habba Wakili disclosed last week thatabout 500 graduate trainees who are supposed to attend various industrial training and attachment courses were rejected by the IOCs in recent times,

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has alleged that International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria have consistently shunned many young Nigerians trained by the PTDF for the purpose of taking over some essential jobs in the industry.
The General Manager, Nigerian Content, PTDF, Hajiya Habba Wakili disclosed last week thatabout 500 graduate trainees who are supposed to attend various industrial training and attachment courses were rejected by the IOCs in recent times,
Speaking at the presentation of certificates to graduate trainees of the PTDF Drilling Engineers Training Programme, Hajiya Wakili said there are gaps in the industry and the essence of training Nigerians is to fill these gaps but the international oil companies which offer most of these jobs are not willing to engage them.
She said: "There is a disconnect between what we are doing here and the industry stakeholders, that is why we invited some of them here to see what we are doing and the kind of talents we are producing for the country."
She said the fund, in collaboration with stakeholders like NNPC, DPR and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board conducted skills gap audit from 2006-2011 and based on report of the audit, PTDF now focuses on providing opportunities for Nigerians in order to fill the gaps.
She said if the industry is not engaging the graduates, there is the tendency they will lose the skills they acquired and the huge amount spent on them will be wasted.
In his remarks, the Acting Executive Secretary, Mr. Jolomi Arenyeka said the 15 drilling engineers were successful and has international certification in the field.