ECITB Global’s internationally recognised qualifications are raising safety standards and helping to develop competent industry professionals in Mozambique.
Hundreds of engineering construction workers have benefitted from training delivered by Ascending, one of ECITB Global’s Licensed Training Providers in the East African country.
The company delivers ECITB’s International Health and Safety Passport (IHSP) and International Competence: Engineering Construction (ICE) scheme to workers in Mozambique’s energy industries.
As well as delivering training in Portugal, Angola and Guyana, Ascending operates three certified training facilities in Mozambique with the mission of “improving lives and organisations”.
Ricardo Martins, who is Head of Ascending Academy Global, said: “Our aim is to help raise safety standards and develop competent professionals in Mozambique ready to operate in high-risk environments.
“We don’t just deliver training – we build capability, develop careers and create real opportunities on a global scale. Every certification achieved is more than a milestone; it’s proof that investment in skills transforms lives and strengthens industries.
“Through our collaboration with leading organisations such as ECITB Global, we ensure that our trainees gain internationally recognised qualifications that open doors across the energy and engineering sectors.”
Building a strong safety culture in Mozambique
The International Health and Safety Passport (IHSP) is a globally recognised health and safety scheme developed from the CCNSG Safety Passport, which is the UK’s engineering construction industry (ECI) safety card.
Ascending delivers the one-day IHSP Foundation course (pictured), which is suitable for all site staff and is used by contractors as a minimum health and safety requirement on numerous large-scale projects.
This course ensures that individuals have a recognised level of health and safety knowledge and awareness to work on engineering and construction sites worldwide, with the qualification transferable across countries, sectors and sites.
The company is also licensed to deliver the one-day Leading a Team Safely (LaTS) course, which is aimed at team leaders, supervisors and managers of site workers.
It recently partnered with MozUp, an organisation that works under the umbrella of ExxonMobil, to put workers on the Rovuma liquified natural gas (LNG) project through the Foundation course in Mozambique.
Executive Director Filipe Francisco is Ascending’s country manager for Mozambique and has worked closely with ECITB Global since forging the link in 2018.
He said: “The IHSP is an international certification recognised over the world, so it is great to have a partner like ECITB that give us that credibility when it comes to health and safety.”
Ricardo added: “The course is more than just a certification, it is the first step towards building a strong safety culture, empowering individuals to identify risks, prevent incidents and contribute to safer workplaces every day.”
ECITB Global competency scheme
Delivering the IHSP opens up opportunities for learners at Ascending to achieve competency qualifications in different trades through ECITB Global’s ICE scheme.
ICE is a global engineering construction industry card that helps employees demonstrate their ability to carry out work to the required level of competence.
Cards are issued after an individual demonstrates they have the knowledge, skills and proficiency to perform their role through a quality-assured assessment process. To be eligible, individuals must hold a valid IHSP.
Ascending, for example, certifies welders through the ICE scheme, such as two competitors that excelled at the inaugural Welding Olympics event created and organised by Talento in the capital Maputo in September 2025. The event, which was attended by 153 people, had the objective of promoting technical and vocational education.
Ascending was one of the event sponsors, along with ExxonMobil, and awarded the top participants across two categories – trainer/professional and trainee – the chance to complete the ECITB ICE Level 2 Welding qualification. Ten other competitors were also funded to attend an IHSP course.
Pictured: Welding Olympics presentations in 2025, after which the top two completed the ECITB Global ICE welding certification with Ascending.
Welding star fulfils ‘dream’
António Agostinho Manjate (pictured), 27, who has eight years of experience in welding, came out first in the trainer/professional category after representing mechanical and industrial engineering firm Duys Mozambique.
“Participating in the Welding Olympics was a great opportunity,” he said. “Through passion, hard work and dedication, I managed to stand out among many highly skilled professionals.
“There was a great exchange of experience and knowledge, as the main objective of the event was to promote, create opportunities and give visibility to professionals in the welding industry.
“The event led to me fulfilling one of my greatest professional dreams of obtaining internationally recognised qualifications through Ascending and ECITB, getting welding ICE Level 2 and International Health and Safety Passport certifications.”
Ascending is hoping to certify more welders from the event in 2026 after taking a more hands-on role and delivering training to competitors from one of its facilities in Pemba.
Filipe said: “We want this event to become even bigger and more impactful. Having the ECITB supporting us with certifications and with insight of what more we can do for these candidates is invaluable.”
