To meet the demand for tailor-made training while managing the associated complex logistics, Perenco has created an innovative barge-based mobile training centre
The Barge Training Center Jean-Robert Ippet-Letembet, named as a tribute to one of its former senior executives who died in 2020, allows Perenco employees to take part in training more easily while remaining close to their workplace, reducing the carbon footprint associated with international travel.
Perenco can now train all the teams from its four Central African subsidiaries. Educational facilities and trainers are transported to the barge, which comes directly into the country to deliver the training. Thanks to this initiative, Perenco enables its employees to develop their skills without impacting onsite operations.
Perenco is widely recognised for its innovation and expertise and to maintain its high level of technical ability and to continuously improve the safety of its production sites, the company needs to regularly train its multidisciplinary teams. The training allows Perenco’s employees and sub-contractors to develop their skills, to grow professionally and contribute to the continuing success of the company.
Transformation from transport barge to training centre
In keeping with its commitment to recycling equipment, Perenco invested several million euros to convert the vessel from a stone transport vessel. Measuring 91 by 27 m, roughly the size of a football pitch, it boasts maximum deck space for trainees and all the necessary equipment to deliver the training.
With equipment from Perenco’s sites, renovated and recycled specifically for training purposes, the technical training capability is comparable to the major international oil universities. The specific equipment created by the Group to teach its unique know-how ensures the training centre offers a realistic experience.
Tailor-made content
Training is provided by a team of qualified professionals, comprising experienced employees from across the Group. The courses are provided by 10 permanent trainers who lead courses for 340 days a year.
The courses cover different areas related to Perenco operations, including life on a Perenco site, health, safety, environment (HSE), maintenance (electrical, mechanical, instrumentation), production and well operations (work-over). Each area has its own programme, developed according to Perenco’s specific needs which can be adapted to suit the requirements of each site. The courses include theoretical modules, practical work in groups as well as role-play scenarios adapted to the realities encountered on site. This engaging learning method ensures everyone learns as much as possible during their stay on the barge.
The unique nature of the courses lies in their tailor-made designs. The courses are designed according to the real needs of the learners, thanks to morning and evening assessments with the Group's new digital platform, PeTra (Perenco Training). This ensures constant improvement of the courses as a result of regular feedback and internal developments within the Group. Thanks to this approach, 100% of the content taught is directly applicable to Perenco’s sites, which would not be possible with external training.
Benjamin Rambaud, barge training centre coordinator, said, “We try to use what everyone has learned in all the places where they have worked. It is this continuous exchange of knowledge and experience that is really important at Perenco and what makes this project so special. With this innovative training barge, Perenco can provide quality training to its employees and sub-contractors, while limiting travel and reducing the costs of professional training of this type.”
First results
From autumn 2022 to the end of 2023, more than 2,500 people will be trained on the barge, including more than 750 people in Gabon (between September 2022 and February 2023) and 650 in the DRC (between March and June 2023). From July to September 2023, the barge will be in Congo Brazzaville where it will train more than 600 people, and then in Cameroon from October to December where it will train nearly 800 people.
The barge can accommodate up to 40 learners per day, comprising 30 for basic training and 10 for specific training.
This tailored training allows Perenco employees and sub-contractors to acquire practical skills adapted to their work environment. It also allows the various teams to stay at the forefront of innovation in the hydrocarbon sector. The courses provided by Perenco ensure the safety, reliability and competitiveness of its oil and gas activities over the long term. This new training centre contributes fully to the economic and social development of the countries where Perenco operates.
