Trade skills education a part of employees’ journey

SKILLS and knowledge become useless if a person is unable to utilise it meaningfully to benefit the organisation, family and the society, an executive says.
Ramu Agri-Industry Ltd (Rail) general manager Ruari Macwilliam said, trade skills education was not only an opportunity but a part of a journey in the lives of employees that served an organisation.
Macwilliam told 57 employees that received certificates in various trade skills certified by the National Apprenticeship and Trade Testing Board (NATTB) last week.
“Embrace the learned skills, use it industriously and become a competent part of your company,” he said.
New Britain Palm Oil Ltd (NBPOL) country manager Robert Nilkare said, as the largest organisation with 24,000 employees, it was crucial to develop trade skills capability to the highest standard.
“NBPOL-Rail play vital roles in up-skilling apprentices and employees.
“The rail provides employment and rewards them with the aim to develop their capabilities through the national trade testing scheme,” Nilkare said.
The company signed a tripartite agreement with NATTB to train its workforce to bring positive change and growth in country.
Human resource training manager Edward Haung said as a result, NATTB certified 10 apprentices, 11 technical trade assessors and 36 competent trade testing candidates.
The NATTB regulated the scheme through formal and informal trades training and assessment.
Haung said the NATTB recognised Rail human resource training centre to conduct maintenance fitting and machining, motor vehicle mechanic, business studies (office administration), carpentry and construction trades testing on site.
However plumbing and electrical trades are yet to meet NATTB site accreditation compliance.
The apprentices signed their tripartite contract with NATTB, NBPOL-Rail and human resource department in March 30, 2015, and completed on June 21, this year.
The trainees undertook heavy equipment fitting, metal fabrication, welding, maintenance fitting, machining, electrical mechanic, motor vehicle mechanic and automotive electrical training.
The 11 technical trades’ assessors are NATTB certified tradesmen that completed workplace assessment training course conducted last year.
“They are now certified national trades assessors qualify to assess competencies in their respective trades in level 1, 2 and 3 trade testing scheme,” Nilkare said.
While the 36 level 1 trade testing (competencies) undertook the training in 2018 and 2019 in business studies (office administration), motor vehicle mechanic, maintenance fitting and machining, electrical mechanic and plumbing.