Stirling Group, a leading provider of HSE service, has partnered with the EU Iraq Energy Centre (EUIEC) to provide risk management training to the Iraqi oil and gas industry to help build a highly skilled and competent workforce.

The specialists in health, safety and environmental (HSE) services, headquartered in the UAE, will deliver a series of three day courses on dealing with uncertainty and risk in the global energy sector from its training centre in Erbil, Kurdistan.

Aimed at graduates and developed in partnership with the KRG Ministry of Natural Resources’ Competency Development Programme, the course will cover a range of concepts, principles and practices for dealing with potential risks when working offshore.

Delivered in a workshop format to encourage discussion, debate and knowledge transfer, the courses will include structured lessons, group activities and simulated exercises.

The partnership between Stirling Group and the EUIEC aims to facilitate further development of the Iraqi energy sector to create a pipeline of skilled and highly competent workers across the Middle East.

Angus Neil, managing director of Stirling Group said: “We have a major role to play in the reduction of risk and to the safety and health of our clients, our own employees, our contractors, and also in the protection of the environments within which we work.

“Our training programmes are specifically developed and delivered to meet a range of rigorous professional standards in line with the needs of the industry, now and in years to come.

“It’s vital that oil and gas workers are exposed to the potential risks and are equipped with the skills and knowledge to ensure compliance in the hazardous, high-risk and hostile environments.

“Working in partnership with industry bodies like the EUIEC ensures that our training is going some way in building the workforce required to meet the region’s future energy targets.”

According to Stefan Haid, principal at the management consultancy Roland Berger, which is responsible for implementing the EUIEC project, a brief market assessment showed great need for hands-on knowledge and skills in the area of uncertainty and risk in the energy sector.

He said: "Participants especially valued the opportunity to exchange their experience and knowledge in the same classroom with employees from different companies.

"Many also appreciated the opportunity to transfer course content to their daily work." – TradeArabia News Service