LNG training showing results

ESSO Highlands Limited, operator of the PNG LNG Project has delivered over one million training hours to its Papua New Guinean workforce so far, with more than 8,500 PNG citizens trained for construction and operations roles across the entire project area.
 “Training is one of the project’s commitments, and we continue to deliver on this,” Decie Autin, PNG LNG Project executive, said.
“We’re providing training at our two dedicated facilities, one in Port Moresby and the other at Juni in the Southern Highlands.
“So far, more than 1,300 people have graduated from the facility in Port Moresby, and 30% of these graduates are female.
“We’re seeing the power that training can have with our workforce.
“Take Morea Jimmy Lohia and Varo Varo, who work at the LNG plant site just outside of Port Moresby.
“Both men started at the site around a year ago and give 100% every day in their work.
“They have accepted all training offered to them, and have both worked their way up to higher positions at the site.”
Originally hired for civil work, Lohia and Varo completed basic safety as well as concrete and masonry training prior to starting their jobs.
It did not take long for them to understand the value of training to help develop their career.
Eager to gain as much knowledge available to them, they signed up for every training course the project offered. 
“I saw this as an opportunity,” Lohia said.
“Management is very good at training us and providing support to improve our skills and move to a better position.” 
Varo agreed, saying there were plenty of opportunities for workers who were willing to go for it. 
“The company has ongoing training programmes to build peoples’ skills and knowledge in work areas and the safety, health and environment department,” he says.
“The training the project offered me was my golden opportunity, and I did not hesitate to take it.”  
Both men have showcased their passion for all things safety-related and recently received promotions to safety trainees, and will soon become safety officers. 
In addition to construction training, the project is training up to 150 operations and maintenance trainees who will eventually operate the LNG plant and Hides gas conditioning plant.
Graduate engineers and interns are also given opportunities to work with the project.