The South African Oil and Gas Alliance on Wednesday launched its Marine Oil and Gas Academy online skills and jobs platform, which could be used by tertiary institutions and international businesses on the African continent.

Delivering a keynote address at the launch of the portal, Western Cape Economic Opportunities Minister Alan Winde said this platform would play a critical role in linking potential employees and employers.

“For the first time, we have a comprehensive overview of the training and job opportunities in the marine, oil and gas space. The inputs we receive here will also [ensure] there is a match between the skills being offered and the needs of industry. 

“This portal is set to become the virtual meeting place for Africa’s marine, oil and gas sector for professionals, companies, potential students and academic institutions,” Winde said.

Further, he also provided an update on the Western Cape government’s artisan development programme, which was aimed at offering young artisans the work experience they needed to obtain a national trade qualification.

“One of the goals of our artisan development programme was to reduce the average age of artisans, which is currently 55 years old. The average age of the 176 artisans in the programme is 23. Through this programme, we are producing the next generation of qualified artisans,” he pointed out.

Winde noted that the first group of interns would graduate over the next few months.

“In the next phase of the programme, through partnership with the National Sector Training Authority Forum, we hope to place 1 000 trainee artisans,” he added.

He further stated that the developments at the Saldanha Bay industrial development zone (IDZ) underscored the importance of residents being skilled in this industry.

“The IDZ has already attracted 18 local and international companies. The oil and gas sector is a priority growth industry for the Western Cape. Generating R2-billion for the local economy each year, this industry currently employs 8 500 people.

“The creation of the IDZ will deliver a significant employment boost over the long term and residents need to be appropriately skilled to take advantage of these opportunities,” Winde said.