Six complete training programme with Oil Search

OIL Search continues to invest in the development of future leaders of Papua New Guinea, with six locals, four of whom were female, successfully completing a three-year graduate development programme with the company recently.
They included Molina Bamu from Poroma in Kutubu, who received the top award for her return on investment presentation which recognises skills, knowledge and experiences acquired during her time as a graduate.
Bamu worked with the company’s community affairs – business development team based in Kutubu. Oil Search managing director Peter Botten presented the completion certificates and congratulated the graduates, wishing them well in their future at Oil Search.
“Each year more than 2,500 applications are received for the Oil Search graduate development programme and from that only a handful are selected,” Botten said.
“This shows how valuable our programme is in developing a highly-skilled workforce in PNG.”
Botten encouraged the first and second-year cohort to make the most of the opportunity to build their knowledge not only in their field of expertise but across other parts of the business, through the rotations that were offered as part of the programme.
“I am pleased by the success of the programme which allows more and more Papua New Guineans, particularly women, to get the start they need to excel in their chosen careers,” he said. Bamu thanked Oil Search on behalf the graduates and spoke about her experiences in working with the community affairs team in the stakeholder engagement group.
“As a Kutubu local, I faced challenges in the beginning, having to work with landowners but with a lot of guidance and support from my manager and colleagues,” she said.
“ But, I did my job well and gained the respect and trust of the leaders and the people.”
The other five graduates were Kathrine Manus, Roseanne Kase, Rhonda Yoko, Joshua Giyomatala and Ezekiel Robert.
Oil Search runs a residential programme for final year participants of the graduate development programme to engage in holistic and meaningful development activities in the local communities, including volunteer work in the Buk bilong Pikinini programme.
The residential programme will end with the formal graduation of the final year cohort.