Machinery and equipment company graduates trainers

 ONE of the leaders in the distribution, maintenance and reassembling of heavy earthmoving equipment and machinery, including the Komatsu brand, in Papua New Guinea, UMW Niugini Ltd, has established its trainers to instruct others in all aspects of industrial machinery and equipment.  

Nine trainers of different trades within the company have been certified as qualified trainers and assessors by trade qualifiers from both Papua New Guinea and Australia after going through a three-month intensive industrial training at the company’s training centre at Voco Point in Lae.  

The training was conducted by Dr Michael Kimber of HealthStar Training Network and Ian McCloud of McCloud Training Organisation (MTO) both of Australia. 

The nine passed out during a graduation held in their honour at the Lae International Hotel’s Bulolo Room last Saturday.

The trainers had their own jobs and the new level of qualification would be an “add-on” for them individually and a bonus for their employers as well.

They are now recognised to assess and train personnel from identities who use heavy earthmoving equipment and machinery like mining companies, the PNG Defence Force Engineering battalion, earthmoving companies and road construction companies.

According to UMW Niugini Ltd general manager Andrew Cooper, the company has created this level of qualification to accommodate the needs for critical attention to be given to heavy machinery and equipment in order to be competitive with the developments of mineral resources and other industries in the country today.

The nine are: Jimmy Aaron, Barry Klapui and Jerus Shong – site on-the-job trainers; Andrew Kaluon – technical training supervisor; Reuben Bota – safety officer; Nick Zanka – training officer; Junior Sone – security dog training and handling; Beko Aibo – asset protection supervisor; and Clement Ananias  – Pronto / IT trainer.

Malaysian ambassador to PNG  Datin Olbery, who was the main speaker at the graduation, told the trainers that they were privileged to work with UMW, one of the biggest heavy machinery distributors in the world. 

Olbery said the company was based in Malaysia and had 15 branches in 15 countries around the world.

She also challenged the trainers to take their responsibilities seriously and in the international perspective. 

Representatives from the National Training Council and the National Apprenticeship Trade Testing Board were also present at the graduation.