OTML eyes more trainees

OK Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML) will increase the intake of apprentices, graduates and trainees this year under its apprenticeship, graduates development scheme (GDS) and preferred area development (PAD) training programmes.
Sixty-five young men and women graduated with certificates in their respective programs last Thursday.
OTML managing director and chief executive officer Nigel Parker made the announcement at the 29th graduation ceremony, witnessed by trainers, supervisors and managers of the graduates.
“Training and development will continue to function in 2013 with increase intake of apprentices to 61, increase intake of GDS to 50 and increase in the number of PAD trainees to 40,” he said.
 “Certificates you will receive don’t just fall from the sky … this is a result of a lot of hard work made by yourself, your trainers, your supervisors, your training departments, the HR department, and of course your family.
 “You are privileged to have been chosen to be a trainee with PAD, be an OTML apprentice and well respected fo, in the two-year GDS course.
“I personally believe that every graduation is important, every graduation is a testimony of those ongoing investments in human resource development in Western province and PNG.
“Every graduation reflects how serious the commitment and training and development of the people of the local area in Western and Papua New Guinea.
For a young mother, it was a long and tough journey, but self-belief and determination paved the way for her to successfully graduate with a certificate in metal fabrication and welding. 
Twenty-six-year-old Lina Suep from Morobe overcame all odds to graduate with flying colours among her male colleagues.
Her apprenticeship group received trade certificates in auto electrical, carpentry construction, electronic mechanics, electrical fitting, heavy equipment fitting, maintenance fitting and machining, plumbing, refrigeration and air-conditioning.
“As a female working with men,  it was a bit uncomfortable but if you get to know them, it will be okay,” Suep said.
“Before going to college, I saw people welding and told myself that one day I will do this.
“I chose metal fabrication and welding because it was in high demand and it was difficult but you have to balance everything,” including family.
Suep’s husband Louis Oaeke, from Mekeo in Central was there to witness his wife graduated with their five-month-old daughter Elizabeth.
“Four years was a long time but it was self-discipline, patience and self-control that got us through to see her (Lina) graduate,” he said.
 “I’m happy that my wife finally graduated. Thank you OTML, for giving her the opportunity to fulfill her dreams,” Oaeke said.
Training and development acting manager Morris Nandun said that this year’s success rate was well more than 50%.
He said this year, 83% per cent of the graduates would be employed by OTML.