Certified pipeline welders training to meet growing energy sector demand
Technical and vocational, among other skills diversification and improvement is like a breath of fresh air in Kenya where dearth of relevant and highly sought skills is still a huge challenge and impediment to manufacturing among other sectors. Consequently, it is great to learn that the Morendat Institute of Oil & Gas National Polytechnic (MIOG-NP), a technical training institution wholly owned by Kenya Pipeline Company Plc (KPC Plc), is scaling up specialized training and international certification of pipeline welders and other technical professionals to bridge critical skills gaps in Kenya’s and eastern Africa region’s rapidly expanding oil and gas sector, it was confirmed on October 19th, 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Essentially, the MIOG-NP is targeting the training and certification of over 30 pipeline welders annually as demand for specialized technical expertise grows, driven by major energy investments, including the Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery in Lamu County and the Gulf Energy-led South Lokichar oil development project in Turkana County.
The initiative is part of KPC Plc’s broader strategy to develop a highly skilled, globally competitive technical workforce that can support Kenya’s industrialization agenda, strengthen local participation in major infrastructure projects, and expand employment opportunities for Kenyan professionals at home and abroad.
In Nairobi, the first MIOG roadshow, purposed to raise awareness on technical and vocational training opportunities, was recently flagged off by KPC Plc Actg MD & CEO, Mr Pius Mwendwa. He confirmed that the institute is well positioned to deliver more than 100 certified pipeline welders annually.
Beginning in 2024, the institute has delivered 101 certified pipeline welders to the market, most of them employed at KPC, and with the rest working as expatriates abroad. In 2026, Morendat Institute produced 10 certified pipeline welders, up from less than ten a decade ago.
“At KPC, we are working hard to fuel growth; we’re unlocking and tapping into emerging opportunities in the oil and gas sector, including the transformation of Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas as an industry training hub for technical workforce development. This will help to stem brain drain and importation of technicians,” Mwendwa added.
He noted that the expansion of MIOG-NP’s specialized training programs comes at a critical time as Kenya positions itself to benefit from increased investments in petroleum production, refining, pipeline infrastructure and related industries.
“Major developments such as the Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery in Lamu and the South Lokichar oil project in Turkana present significant opportunities for Kenyan professionals. Our priority is to ensure that Kenya has the technical capacity to participate meaningfully in these investments, reduce reliance on imported expertise and create sustainable employment opportunities for our young people,” he added.
Mr Mwendwa emphasized that KPC Plc’s investment in MIOG-NP reflects the Company’s commitment to supporting national development; this is beyond KPC Ltd’s core petroleum transportation and storage business. KPC Plc’s is also committed to skills development, knowledge transfer and industry-focused capacity building.
Dr Nancy Kosgei, the MIOG-NP Director explained that the institution is strengthening its training portfolio with competency-based diploma and certificate programs, specialized short courses, and internationally recognized technical certification pathways tailored to the evolving needs of the energy and industrial sectors.
The courses include advanced welding training aligned with international standards such as ISO 9606-1, alongside programs developed through partnerships with recognized international welding and technical training organizations.
“Our focus is to equip trainees with practical, industry-relevant skills that improve their employability and enable them to compete in an increasingly demanding labor market. Through this roadshow, we are taking our training opportunities directly to prospective students, experienced artisans and industry professionals seeking to upgrade their qualifications,” Dr Kosgei said.
According to Dr Kosgei, the MIOG-NP is expanding access to certification through its Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program, which allows experienced artisans and technicians and who have acquired the skills through practical work experience to formally assessed and recognized.
“Many Kenyans possess valuable technical skills acquired through years of experience but lack formal qualifications. Our Recognition of the RPL provides a structured pathway for these individuals to obtain recognized certification, advance their careers and access new opportunities in Kenya and beyond,” she explained.
Beyond welding and pipeline operations, MIOG-NP is exploring strategic partnerships with county governments, industry players and other institutions to expand specialized training in firefighting, occupational health and safety (OSH), emergency response, electrical installation and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) handling and management.
The partnerships are expected to strengthen technical capacity, promote workplace safety and support compliance with occupational health and safety requirements across various sectors of the economy.
Established in 2014 as a regional center of excellence in oil and gas training, MIOG-NP was elevated to the National Polytechnics status in September 2024, reinforcing its mandate to deliver industry-responsive technical and vocational education.
Over the past decade, the institution has trained over 6,000 professionals across various technical disciplines, contributing to skills development and capacity building in Kenya and the wider Eastern African region.
Notably, the institution operates training campuses in Nairobi, Naivasha and Eldoret, offering specialized facilities for welding, pipeline operations, instrumentation, mechanical training, firefighting and occupational safety.
The aforementioned Nairobi roadshow will allow prospective trainees, parents, employers, and other stakeholders to meet MIOG-NP representatives, explore available training programs, and help guests and participants to learn about admissions, professional certification, and career development pathways.
Commendably, the initiative underscores KPC Plc’s commitment to developing a technically competent, competitive workforce while positioning MIOG-NP as a leading center for specialized industrial training and professional certification in East Africa. {Ends}