PNG LNG training facility opens doors

A NEW vocational training facility was opened yesterday at the Port Moresby Technical College (PomTech) by Esso Highlands Ltd, operator of the multi-billion-kina liquefied natural gas project, The National reports.

The Port Moresby construction training facility represented an investment of K150 million to train up to 1,000 Papua New Guineans a year for employment with the project during its four-year construction phase.

Managing director of Esso Highlands Peter Graham said the training facility was an important milestone for the LNG project.

“The men and women who are trained here will play a vital role in the construction of the LNG plant and associated marine facilities,” he said.

Graham added that their training would be certified to international industry standards and the skills they acquired would enable them to compete for employment opportunities beyond the construction period of the project.

Minister for Higher Education Michael Ogio said Esso Highlands and its LNG partners had shown confidence in the nation.

He said the training facility, and the expertise developed, would create long-term value for PNG and its skilled workforce. 

He said upon completion of the project in 2014, the training facility would be given to the PNG government to become part of PomTech.

Ogio also announced the government’s allocation of K15 million to rehabilitate existing PomTech facilities.

Skills Tech Australia will coordinate the construction training facility.