An assessment of factors associated with job mismatch of oil and gas training programs. A case study of total energies E&P Uganda

Abstract

This study investigated the job mismatch within the oil and gas training programs in Uganda, focusing on understanding the factors influencing job placement. Using Total Energies as a case study, the research aimed to explore how training programs align with job opportunities and identified areas for improvement. The research focused qualitative data. Telephone interviews were conducted from the trainees to gather data necessary for the study and the data was analyzed at the univariate level where the various descriptive analyses were obtained, at bivariate where chi square was used to identify the relationship between the variables and at multi variate level where a binary logistic model was used. The key findings of the study revealed a significant gap between the mismatch between the training programs undertaken and the jobs taken up by the trainees. This was attributed to factors such as gender and the pre-training job match to the training. While the other factors such as region of origin, type of certificate attained and pre-employment status were not significant. Based on these findings, the study recommends offering extra support to the females, revising training curricula to better match industry needs and emerging job market trends focusing more on application in the real world than the level of skill or certificate. Additionally, fostering stronger partnerships between training institutions, employers, and policymakers is crucial to ensure alignment and relevance. Lastly, providing additional support such as career counseling, internship opportunities, and job placement assistance to trainees will enhance their employment prospects.