Field Ready programme for young Mozambicans

Van Oord Gulf FZE, a contract partner in the Mozambique LNG Project, has signed up to the Field Ready programme in Mozambique. The programme aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by producing graduates who are ready to work.

Franky Maas, In-Country Manager for Van Oord Gulf FZE, said, “Our expectations of the students is that by making the most of this rather unique opportunity, they develop further both as a person and a professional, thus increasing their ‘employability’.”

Van Oord, in consortium with TechnipFMC, was awarded a contract to develop the MzLNG Project (Área 1 Mozambique Golfinho/Atum). The contract covers the Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) of the subsea systems. Van Oord will execute the shallow offshore installation scope, while consortium partner TechnipFMC is responsible for the deep-water scope.

Launched in 2019, the Field Ready Mozambique programme is part of an international initiative bringing together providers of education and training with industry. In Mozambique, it is operated under license by the Matola Industrial and Commercial Institute and the Nampula Industrial and Commercial Institute.

24-year-old Dília Carmen Mondlane is one of the beneficiaries of the Field Ready programme.

“I am finishing my training programme, but I will soon be able to join the Van Oord Team,” says Dília Mondlande. “So far, I have great support from Van Oord. They have addressed any doubts I have had about the project, and they have wanted to follow my progress in the programme and what I have learned. When I started my engineering course, my dream was to work in the oil and gas sector. Now, my dream is coming true. I can’t wait to start working on the project and apply some of the knowledge I have gained here in the FR programme. I have a lot to learn and to give, and it will be rewarding to be able to contribute positively to the achievement of the Mozambique LNG project.”

She added, “I am happy to participate in a programme that is equipping me with extensive knowledge to become highly employable and someone capable of responding to what companies are looking for.”

Franky Maas, In-Country Manager, stated that this support is well-aligned with Van Oord’s objectives to, amongst others, bring employment and economic opportunities to Mozambican nationals.

“Our participation in the Field Ready programme is one of the ways to achieve this objective. On the whole we, including our subcontractors, expect to employ, for varying periods of time, approximately 100 Mozambicans on our project.”