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SPE trains 100 teachers in energy-related courses

By Ann Godwin (Port Harcourt)
04 June 2015   |   4:49 am
SOCIETY of Petroleum ENGINEERS (SPE) has trained about 110 teachers in energy related courses with the aim of closing a skill and competency gap in the oil and gas industry.
Caleb

Head, One Education, Sterling Bank Plc.; Miss. Adesola Alli (left); Senior Principal, Caleb Group of Schools, Hywen Bennett; Head, Brand Management, Sterling Bank Plc. Mrs. Dolapo Ogunbawo, and Executive Director, Caleb Group of Schools Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, at the Parenting Series Workshop organised by the school and supported by Sterling Bank.

SOCIETY of Petroleum ENGINEERS (SPE) has trained about 110 teachers in energy related courses with the aim of closing a skill and competency gap in the oil and gas industry.

The teachers drawn from both private and public schools across the Niger Delta region, were trained on various energy techniques at a one-day workshop titled, ’Energy to retrain the trainers’ in Port Harcourt.

Chairman of the programme, Debo Fagbami said, it was necessary to train the teachers on modern petroleum techniques to enable them go back and teach their students, and further spur their interest in petroleum industry.

He explained that the demographics of the industry showed that, it is made up of people who are already ageing and nearing retirement, stressing that if the training step is not taken, there is going to be a skill and competency gap in the future.

He said: “what we are doing is taking proactive steps towards encouraging the young ones to develop interest in studying energy related courses because after training the teachers, they will go back and train the students” “If we do not take this step, there is going to be a skill and competency gap in the petroleum industry very soon because, the professionals there are ageing and retiring, so, if we don’t train the teacher who will in turn train the students, there may not be people to replace them” Fagbami added.

what we are doing is taking proactive steps towards encouraging the young ones to develop interest in studying energy related courses because after training the teachers, they will go back and train the students. If we do not take this step, there is going to be a skill and competency gap in the petroleum industry very soon because, the professionals there are ageing and retiring, so, if we don’t train the teacher who will in turn train the students, there may not be people to replace them

Similarly, the Programme Coordinator of Energy for me trains the trainers, Julia Obuotor, called on government and school authorities to incorporate energy studies into the curriculum.

She said, “In our school curriculum, it is important we have something that is relevant to today’s modern energy situation” She expressed hope that the training would spur the flare of students towards studying energy related subjects, thereby creating avenue for replacement in the industry.

“If the young people are caught from early stage, by the time they graduate from University, they will become sound and ready for the industry” Speaking also, the President of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary School, South South region, Dr. Augusta Fubara, expressed delight on the training programme, saying it would improve the passion of science teachers and as well, equip and improve the skills of students.

She, however, called on government to improve the standard of laboratories in schools across the region to meet with the modern standard.

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