EACOP partnership to boost skills training at Nakawa Vocational College

________________

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project has continued to strengthen links between industry and education with a new partnership between its contractor, Schneider Electric, and Nakawa Vocational Training College (NVTC) aimed at enhancing practical training in the oil and gas sector.

The agreement, signed on Tuesday (November 04) afternoon at NVTC’s main campus in Nakawa, will see Schneider Electric offer hands-on training, mentorship, and industrial placements for both students and instructors in electrical and related fields.

Speaking at the signing, Schneider Electric General Manager Josiah Habwe said the partnership would prepare Ugandans to tap into job opportunities arising from EACOP’s construction and operational phases.

“EACOP offers enormous opportunities for Uganda’s workforce. What’s needed is to prepare our youth to take advantage of them and drive economic growth,” he noted.

EACOP, Schneider and NVTC staff standing at the main entrance of the administration block of NVTC after signing the MOU.

EACOP’s National Content Capacity Building Lead, Natasha Kassam, said the collaboration reflects the project’s commitment to supporting national content and working with academic institutions to develop a skilled local workforce.

“We want to empower young Ugandans with industry-relevant skills that can serve both the oil and gas industry and other emerging sectors,” she said.

NVTC Principal Robert Baguminsiriza welcomed the partnership, describing it as a timely boost that will enhance both student learning and instructor competence.

“This collaboration will give our trainees and trainers the exposure they need to meet industry standards,” he said.

The partnership adds NVTC to a growing list of institutions working with EACOP and its contractors, including Makerere University, Kyambogo University, and the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba.