Scots university to propose skills training framework for India’s subsea sector
ABERDEEN, Scotland -- Robert Gordon University (RGU) has been awarded funding from the UK government to establish a sustainable training framework for the Indian energy sector with a focus on accelerating subsea skills development.
The university announced the funding after it welcomed the Indian Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and his delegation to its Garthdee campus in Aberdeen last week as part of a three day visit to the UK organized by the Department for International Trade (DIT) and Scottish Development International (SDI).
The delegation, which included a number of India’s national oil and gas companies and regulators, are looking to work closely with companies and universities in Scotland, to leverage their expertise in subsea engineering.
RGU will draw on its subsea expertise and experience of working both in the North Sea and internationally to appraise the future skills profile of India’s industry and propose a sustainable training framework with a focus on engineering disciplines and management.
Professor Paul de Leeuw, director of RGU’s Oil and Gas Institute, said, “We are delighted to undertake this important project, which will help build the foundations upon which India can grow its skill base to fully exploit and benefit from its hydrocarbon reserves, strengthen its economy, drive innovation and provide increased employability prospects for its people.”
The six-month project will see RGU conduct a feasibility study, which will focus on increasing the understanding of the current subsea skills gaps in India. The study will also identify opportunities for good practice sharing and provide recommendations to position India for success in delivering its ambitious agenda for the hydrocarbon industry.
Last week, RGU announced that it has been awarded funding to advise the Mexican government on skills development for its oil and gas sector, providing recommendations on how to address the potential skills gap over the next 15 years, both at graduate and vocational level.
