1st December 2020: Al-Rusayl, Muscat, Oman
After re-opening in October, Takatuf Petrofac Oman, (TPO) the leading international oil and gas training facility in the region, is now, once again, helping create a bright future for Omani youth in the energy industry.
After gaining permission from the Ministry of Labour, TPO opened as soon as it was deemed safe and returned back to training. All students are experiencing the very best training available in the region, in a sanitized and safe environment and in strict accordance with the health protocols and guidance, as set by the Ministry of Labour.
TPO has fully embraced online learning for its Foundation Programme during the period of closure and is now integrating theoretical elements of our technical training on-line with on-campus rotational learning, taking a fully blended approach to learning in response to the challenges of COVID-19. With the centre now fully up-and-running, and all of our trainees welcomed back, they are now enjoying the benefits of a new approach to learning as they get back to achieving their internationally accredited City and Guilds qualifications.
Mr Andy Morris, General Manager at TPO, commented that, “All staff and students are thrilled that the Ministry of Labour gave its full consent for us to open. It has been quite a challenge making 100% sure that we met all of the stipulations, but as a team we were determined to put the new measures in place, in order for the trainees and staff to return in a safe way.”
Safety is always of paramount importance in the oil and gas industry and even more so now with the added dangers posed by COVID-19. As part of the TPO philosophy, it is important that students know that they are an integral part of the TPO team and that their opinions matter and so student feedback is always closely monitored. Qais Al-Maqbali, a trainee from Marafiq, informed the management that, “It has been a challenge but all of my colleagues at TPO are simply relieved to be able to get back into the workshop and learn the skills necessary to work safely and productively for the future of Oman.” Foundation student, Wajdan Al-Balushi also stated that she found online learning very difficult at first because she faced many challenges with the Internet and studying at home but now she feels that she has been taught all of the necessary skills to make the educational process a positive one and is very happy to have been able to pass her recent assessments.
Mr Ben Holden, Head of Foundation, confirmed that, “Yes, we have faced many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic but I am very proud of my team and of the students who have faced all of the challenges associated with online learning and now blended learning with enthusiasm, positivity and a much-needed sense of humour! The staff and students have joined together to make a success out of challenging times and the recent successful assessment results, achieved on return to the training institute, are a testimony to the fact that we have made it work.”
If your organisation would like any assistance with getting your team of workers and/or students ‘back to business’ with online learning then please contact our team at: info@tpo.om tel: 22519600
Takatuf Petrofac Oman is an oil and gas training institute based in Al-Rusayl, Knowledge Oasis Muscat, specialising in technician training and assessment programmes for electrical, mechanical and instrumentation maintenance and process operations.
For more information and bookings please visit www.tpo.om or contact us at sales@tpo.om or Tel: 22519600.
