Training boost for PNG Power

PNG Power Ltd (PPL) will revitalise its training centre into the National Electricity Institute with help from the Australian and New Zealand governments.
PPL acting managing director Carolyn Blacklock said this assistance was made possible under the PNG Electrification Partnership.
Blacklock said this would require PPL to upgrade its infrastructure at the cost of about K50 million to have full e-capability including electronic white boards, Wi-Fi, and modern training facilities.
“We have a beautiful camp that’s right here in Hohola, with accommodation, lecturer theatres and training centre but it’s all falling apart,” she said.
“The physical infrastructure has to be assessed and rebuilt.”
Blacklock said the partnership with Australia on the training centre was carried out by a company called Entura, owned by the Tasmanian government.
“Between the Australian government and the Tasmanian government, they are helping us to redevelop the training centre into the national electricity institute which will be training PPL staff and outsiders,” she said.
“All of the apprenticeship training would be moved into the axillary between university, Tafe college and training institute, all the areas around hydro maintenance and repair.”
Blacklock said the partnership with New Zealand Government will involve a complete overhaul of health safety environment.
“Right now we have an aspiring to be world class utility unfortunately our safety doesn’t match that,” she said.
“Our standard operating procedures need to be rewritten.
“We’ve improved on health and safety equipment, we are compliant but it’s not enough to protect people.
“And the New Zealand government is helping us to improve on this,” she said.
Blacklock said the curriculum would be upgraded to Tafe Australia standards.
“We are still the accredited provider of electrical training in PNG and we need workshops to do that, a transformer workshop, electrical mechanical etc,” she said.
“We are more organised, a new energy in spirit about the place.”