Ok Tedi Mining (OTML) has welcomed 20 students from the Kiunga Vocational Training Centre for its second Preferred Area Work Experience On-The-Job Training program.
The program was started in 2022 by OTML’s major projects team, with seven students joining the program in its first intake.
Upon completion, OTML retained four of these trainees to continue working with the company.
The program will see the 20 trainees progress through three months of hands-on training within OTML’s operations.
“The aim of the program is to transfer knowledge and build skills capacity for the development of trades in the Western Province,” OTML project director Brendan Gowdie said.
“Kiunga Vocational is in our backyard and it is quite obvious that the prospects of securing a job in the students’ fields of study and in their local area is minimal, thus the idea to assist by providing an avenue for them to do on-the-job training at major projects, mine and Tabubil mechanical workshops to develop their chosen skillsets.”
With many students from Kiunga having to travel out of the area to look for opportunities, OTML said it is committed to ensuring the program can continue to operate.
“The results and feedback received from the pioneer year’s intakes further showed the need to continue this program and we also involved our OTML Training Department in this program to ensure sustainability of this program to further develop our young people in the province in years to come,” Gowdie said.
OTML managing director and chief executive officer Kedi Ilimbit reinforced this stance.
“OTML will build on this Kiunga Vocational Centre pathway and create further opportunities for young people to progress towards their certificate in their chosen fields,” he said.
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