Petroleum Ministry to set up skill development centre for skills in hydrocarbon sector in Mangaluru

08-Apr-15

Mangalure will see a World Class Skill Development Centre (SDC) to cater the growing needs of hydrocarbon sector, said Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan. After inaugurating the new Polypropylene unit at Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), Pradhan said the SDC of international standard will train youth in 136 skills identified in hydrocarbon sector. "The new government has set up skill development and entrepreneurship ministry. All the infrastructure and employment generation related departments are formulating their own strategies in their respective fields through the ministry. In hydrocarbon sector, we have identified 136 skills. In Mangaluru there is huge presence of hydrocarbon based industries. The city has all many infrastructures like port, airport and railway connectivity. We have MRPL, OMPL, petrochemical complex, strategic petroleum reserve, special economic zone, New Mangalore Port, fishery network, Kudremukh steel plant here. Looking into all these sides of potential, MRPL will be the anchor of the SDC. It will be coordinating with all other departments and the cooperation of state government will also be sought for this initiative," he said. The ministry will appoint a consultant to look into the areas and submit a report, Pradhan said adding that a timeframe has not been fixed for the setting up of centre. "We have not fixed deadline as of now. However, we are committed to set up a World Class SDC in Mangaluru," he said.