There is a need for formal training and development programmes to ensure safety standards in the natural gas pipeline industry in South Africa, Sapga has claimed.

According to the group, the sector opened up when a pipeline from Mozambique came on stream, creating a more lucrative market and greater opportunities.

"Before that, the market was saturated, but now a lot more people can see a career in gas, creating the need for formal learnerships," Sapga technical director Riaan van der Walt told Engineering News.

Meanwhile, training portfolio head Fritz von Graszouw added that formal gas training courses were necessary to ensure that installation and maintenance standards were upheld.

The group called for more training and development centres to provide people with the skills to work in the gas industry under the remit of the South African Qualifications Authority.

Elsewhere, the Wall Street Journal has reported that workers in gas fields on offshore rigs are commanding high salaries, even in times of economic turmoil, because of a lack of highly skilled technicians and engineers.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development.