International oil and gas skills organization OPITO approved Shenzhen Safeway Technology Service (SSTC) to provide industry training for Chinese offshore oil and natural gas workers, a press release said April 20. OPITO standards, qualifications and workforce development frameworks are used worldwide.

SSTC will be in Guangdong province and will provide Chinese offshore workers, for the first time, with OPITO’s safety and training standards. The Authorised Gas Tester (AGT) Level 1 to 3 training will be given, and SSTC expects to give additional courses in the future.

The training provider is currently seeking OPITO accreditation for courses, including Major Emergency Management Initial Response, Offshore Installation Manager and Basic H2S training.

Oil and gas E&P activity has risen in north and south China recently, and the workforce in the entire energy sector is growing.

The South China Sea alone could hold between 700 MMbbl and 125 Bbbl of oil. Exploiting these reserves would require skilled and competent workers, the press release added.