Twenty welders graduated from the Inhassoro Training Center in Inahmbane province on 6 March 2019 which falls under partnership between Sasol and Mozambique Institute of Vocational Training and Labour Studies Alberto Cassimo (IFPELAC).

The Inhassoro Training Centre, which has been operational since 2014, offers training in a variety of trades, including welding, scaffolding, steel fixing and painting. Over 320 artisans have been trained to date, a total of 460 is expected to be trained within coming years.

The Inhassoro Training Center (ITC) is a commitment made in the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Field Development Plan (FDP).

Ovidio Rodolfo, Managing Director for Sasol in Mozambique said at the graduation ceremony, “As Sasol, we invest in targeted education, skills development and capacity building of Mozambicans. We wish to play our part in reducing unemployment, promoting the development of local skills in response to the market needs of the oil and gas sector, and developing a much-needed pool of skilled Mozambicans.”

“We believe that learnerships are a critical platform to enable the youth of Mozambique. In partnership with Mozambique Institute of Vocational Training and Labour Studies Alberto Cassimo (IFPELAC), we have established the training centre in Inhassoro where we are today,” he further added.

He also highlighted that “today, we are here to celebrate the graduation of these 20 young welders. The skills sets that these young men and women are much sought after within the sector. And we believe that through the practical experience obtained through working at the Central Processing Facility in Temane these young people have unique experience that they wouldn’t get in many other centers.”

He remarked that he was most impressed by the high number of women which has attended the center over the years and he understands that it has been an average of about 30% women over the various intakes. The seven young ladies were an inspiration to others in this traditionally male industry, he commended them for selecting their field of study.

These graduates come from Govuro, Inhassoro, Massinga, Mabote and Vilanculos districts within Province of Inahmbane.

The centre offers Mozambicans a chance for socio-economic upliftment and is creating a talent pipeline for the country’s industrial growth.