Hastings Deering has a robust in-house training centre in PNG that produces certified CAT technicians through apprenticeships.
As one of the main economic pillars of the country, mining has found a successful home in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
One company that understands this situation well is Hastings Deering, one of the top suppliers of Caterpillar (CAT) products and services to the Pacific nation’s mining sector.
Hastings Deering’s journey in PNG began in 1949, and it has been delivering CAT products and services to the country’s mining industry since that time.
Hastings Deering’s PNG division has 300 employees supporting five business centres located in Port Moresby, Lae, Tabubil and Kimbe, with an operations centre at Lihir Island supporting Australian gold miner Newcrest.
“We have many aspects to our business, with our key objective being to support Caterpillar equipment owners with parts and service support in mining, general construction, power generation and marine industries,” Hastings Deering PNG area manager – PNG and Solomon Islands Andrew Dare told Australian Mining.
“With approximately 30,000 Caterpillar line-item parts and access to the Caterpillar global dealer network, we are well positioned for parts distribution to our customer needs.”
Hastings Deering has an in-house training centre in PNG that produces certified CAT technicians through apprenticeships in mechanical and auto-electrician trades.
“The training team based out of Port Moresby and Lae has grown the number of opportunities and offerings in recent years by expanding our capability in work experience and digital delivery of training modules,” Dare said. “Training has focused on literature and numeracy testing and parts-warehouse training, being accredited for NC1 and NC2 (National Certificate) for DHEF (Diesel Heavy Equipment Fitting) 1 and 2 and registered with the PNG Department of Higher Education Research Science and Technology.”
The in-house education capability specialists and training staff are taught at a global level under Caterpillar’s standards. To that end, Hastings Deering recently invested more than $250,00 in a state-of-the-art Caterpillar simulator that enables virtual training on excavators and track-type tractors.
Dare is proud of the work the Hastings Deering PNG team has done, especially the changes implemented over recent years to increase the safety of its employees and customer service, an approach that sits at the centre of the company’s continual improvement strategy.
“Our team in Papua New Guinea is doing an incredible job engaging with the local communities and we are very proud of the amazing partnerships they have built,” Dare said.
One of these partnerships is with the Hunters, a professional rugby league club in PNG. Dare said the team aligns with the values of Hastings Deering, embracing diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
“Rugby league is an institution in PNG and the Hunters have the largest footprint for this sport in PNG, so this partnership allows us to connect with our employees, customers and the broader PNG community,” Dare said.
Hastings Deering’s PNG division also sponsors the Port Moresby Kart Club, a go-karting organisation that televises the races across PNG.
“In addition to donating CAT merchandise for prizes, the Hastings Deering PNG team also put on a free barbecue at a recent race, which provided a great opportunity to support and network with the community,” Dare said.
Hastings Deering’s PNG team recently worked with not-for-profit group Buk bilong Pikinini (which roughly translates to ‘books for children’) to create a reader for the book series, When I grow up.
The latest in the series, When I grow up I want to be a heavy equipment operator, includes images of children visiting Hastings Deering’s Port Moresby branch.
“Buk bilong Pikinini has published 18 picture books as part of the When I grow up series to ensure PNG children can recognise themselves and their culture in the books they publish,” Dare said.
Other PNG causes Hastings Deering is committed to includes the Wild Cats, a Port Moresby netball team that is wholly made up of Hastings Deering PNG employees and their children, and the Port Moresby General Hospital’s annual corporate blood drive.
“(Hastings Deering) has supported the Port Moresby General Hospital annual corporate blood drive since 2015 through sponsorship and a business wide blood donation campaign,” Dare said.
“The Port Moresby General Hospital is the largest hospital in PNG and the impact of this cause has been far-reaching.”
Indeed, with its support of so many causes in PNG, Hastings Deering’s impact in the Pacific nation can also be aptly described as far-reaching.
