Gabon - Training gabonese youth for a bright future

Youth Inclusion and Education - Committed to empowering socially at-risk young people

Each year, the Centre de Spécialisation Professionnelle (Centre for Vocational Specialization) in Port Gentil trains over 40 young people to meet the needs of the Oil and Gas industry. Interview with the Director of the centre –which is supported by Total Gabon– and a former student.

"I used to work in Engineering Operations at Total Gabon and when I was offered the opportunity to head the Centre de Spécialisation Professionnelle (CSP), in 2010, it took little hesitation. The time had come for me to serve the young people of my country,” says Victor Rogandji, the current head of CSP. In this training centre, which was created in 2003 at the initiative of the Gabonese government and Total Gabon, students are required to pass an entrance exam. The training program lasts nine months and consists of both theoretical and practical coursework. The students can choose from four main subjects: Industrial Mechanical Maintenance, Industrial Electrical Maintenance, Pipework/Welding or Instrumentation/Control.

“After I received my secondary school diploma, this training provided me with theoretical knowledge that I was immediately able to put into practice because the training centre is fully equipped,” notes Sandrina Songo Mboumba, a former student of the 2004/2005 Instrumentation class. “The instructors are highly experienced with a number of them directly from industry, which gives us perspectives,” continues the former student, who now works as a Planning Technician at Total Gabon.

A gateway to the world of work

Geared toward the oil industry, the Port Gentil CSP is supported by companies in the sector, including Total. This partnership with the business world helps the centre tailor its programs to the companies’ expectations and gives young people the practical skills they need. “Our primary goal is to ensure that the trainees find a job once they complete the program,” says Rogandji. “In fact, 98% of the certified students are hired, which is an excellent result.