Petroleum, Skill Development ministries ink MoU

The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) and the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) on Monday signed an MoU to scale up skill development in hydrocarbon sector, an official release said.

"The MoU was signed by Petroleum Secretary K.D. Tripathi and MSDE Secretary Rohit Nandan in the presence of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy," release said.

Speaking on the occasion, Dharmendra Pradhan said as his ministry is gearing up for new avenues that Petroleum & Natural Gas sector will open up for the country, there is tremendous focus on sourcing skilled workforce to make the plans successful.

"The partnership with MSDE through this MoU signing will help MoPNG to develop a ready workforce for Exploration and Production, Pipeline & Transportation, Refinery & Marketing and service providers going forward.

"We are investing back into our sectors and for the country's brighter future," he added.

Rajiv Pratap Rudy, welcoming the contribution from the hydrocarbon sector, said: "The hydrocarbon sector has tremendous potential for employment generation, and hence it is vital to develop a skilled workforce to meet both current and future needs."

The petroleum ministry has set up the Hydrocarbon Sector Skill Council (HSSC) with representatives from the government, public and private sector to address the skill development needs of this sector.

Both ministries will develop globally-benchmarked workforce for this sector and will create better economic opportunities for the youth through skill development programmes.

--IANS

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