Oil, skill development ministries unite to power hydrocarbon talent

Keeping view to scale up skill development initiatives in the Hydrocarbon and allied sectors among other areas of cooperation, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here on Monday. 

Both Secretaries of MSDE and MoPNG signed the MoU in the presence of MoS, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy and MoS, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan. 

While addressing, Pradhan asserted that the MoU will help MoPNG to develop the ready workforce for Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Transportation, Refinery and Marketing and Service providers going forward. The ministry is also gearing up for new avenues that Petroleum and Natural Gas sector will open up for the country.

MoPNG has also setup the Hydrocarbons Sector Skill Council (HSSC) with representatives from the Government, PSUs and private sector to address the skill development needs across the value chain of the sector.

Welcoming contribution from the hydrocarbon sector, MoS Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy said,

 “The hydrocarbon sector has tremendous potential for employment generation, and hence it is vital to develop a skilled workforce to meet both current and future needs. The setting up of the Hydrocarbons SSC is the first step in that direction.”

Both the ministries joined hands with MSDE to develop comprehensive skill development plans for existing and potential workforce in alignment with National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), certifying existing workforce in the hydrocarbon sector for Recognition of Prior Learning under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), in promote and scale-up apprenticeship training under National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme and in facilitate the setting-up of Skill Development Institutes/Centres of Excellence for vocational training to meet sectoral needs.

Under the MoU, MoPNG will continue to support the growth of the Hydrocarbon Sector Skill Council and align with the NSQF for skill development programs. 

Additionally, MoPNG will encourage Oil and Gas Companies and related contractors to hire skilled personnel, incentivize skill training and certification, promote apprenticeship programs, undertake Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programs in the sector and setup institutes focused on various sub-sectors and allied trades. 

MoPNG will also catalyze these initiatives in the Hydrocarbon sector, through its various agencies and PSUs, and develop a plan in close alignment with the Skill India mission.

MSDE would primarily discharge its responsibilities through Directorate General of Training (DGT) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).