Harvard Marine International Ghana Limited and the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards a building skilled manpower for the burgeoning oil and gas industry in Ghana.

With the signing of the MoU, Harvard Marine has been given the nod to commence world class petroleum training institute to train and offer certificates in occupational health, safety and environment in the petroleum, mining, energy, construction and allied industries.

The Director of NVTI, Stephen Bismark Amponsah noted that the announcement of the oil find raised the hopes of many youth gaining employment, which has not yet been fulfilled due to the inability of skills to match existing jobs in the oil industry.  

He said, NVTI in collaboration with Harvard Maritime International through quality training will provide skilled manpower to bridge gap mainly occupied by expatriates.

The CEO of Harvard Maritime International, Captain Ron McGrath said the MoU marks a quantum leap for all Ghanaians, noting that the institute will introduce internationally accredited courses for Ghanaians to gain employment in the oil and gas industry.

In an interview with GB&F, McGrath indicated that as the employment base of Ghanaians improves, Ghanaians can look forward to a brighter future adding that as the effect of job creation evolves, there will be the creation of new small businesses to service the mainstream activity.

He said his school’s training will follow international accepted standards thus making students of the school marketable worldwide.

The Minister for Employment and Social Welfare, Enoch Teye Mensah, presented provisional accreditation for six months to the CEO of Harvard Marine.

The state-of-the-art academic facility which is situated in Takoradi would admit students from January, 2012.