The Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) in New Zealand has announced that it will develop a new training and development centre for nationals looking to enter the oil and natural gas industry.

Initially providing health and safety courses, the multimillion dollar project will engage students with practical simulations played out in survival tanks and utilising offshore evacuation devices.

There will also be a subaqueous helicopter escape training module, according to Paul Elliott, project manager of the venture.

"When the oil and gas industry hits Southland with a vengeance, SIT Workforce, as an industry training provider, is expected to be ready and in a position to service the industry to the highest level," he told stuff.co.nz.

He added that the training centre would also help employees to serve the needs of current oil and gas firms operating in the country.

The courses would be accredited by the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation (OPITO), which has recently announced the launch of a new industry-wide safety training standard which will provide new offshore oil and gas rig personnel with baseline safety skills.

Oil & Gas Directory: Training & Development