NCDMB, Bellazir launch steel welding, fabrication training in Abia

Michael Olumide

Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Bellazir Energy Limited, has commenced a two-week intensive training programme on steel welding and fabrication in Abia State, aimed at equipping participants with practical, industry-relevant skills.

The training, which began on Monday, has drawn 50 participants selected to benefit from hands-on instruction designed to enhance their employability and foster entrepreneurial development within Nigeria’s growing industrial sector.

Organisers said the initiative forms part of NCDMB’s broader mandate to deepen local content participation in the oil and gas industry while addressing the persistent skills gap in the nation’s workforce.

According to programme coordinators, the curriculum combines both theoretical knowledge and practical exposure, covering key areas such as welding techniques, fabrication methods, and critical safety protocols.

Participants will engage in real-time demonstrations and supervised practice sessions to ensure competence and confidence in their craft.

Speaking on the significance of the programme, stakeholders noted that the training is expected to empower beneficiaries with the technical expertise required to secure employment or establish small-scale fabrication businesses, thereby contributing to economic growth and self-reliance.

They further emphasized that initiatives like this are crucial in building a pool of skilled local professionals capable of meeting the demands of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and related industries.

At the end of the programme, participants will receive certification, validating their newly acquired skills and positioning them for opportunities within and beyond the energy sector.

The collaboration between NCDMB and Bellazir Energy Limited underscores ongoing efforts by public and private sector players to invest in human capital development and promote sustainable industrial growth across the country.