Challenger wins Oil Search training deal

Papua New Guinea's Oil Search has signed an agreement with Challenger Institute of Technology to provide training for its local workforce.

The ongoing partnership will initially place six trainees at Challenger's Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training in Munster.

Three of the trainees are currently operators drawn from within Oil Search's production department, while the other three are electrical/instrumentation technicians from its maintenance department.

The workers will be trained in plant start-up and shut-down management, scheduling, planning, fault finding, meter calibration, valve and chemical injection pump overhauls, electrical motor checks and mechanical seal replacement.

"Oil Search are promoting national workers in oil and gas and this is a genuinely exciting opportunity to provide a sustainable training model to ensure these employees are given every opportunity to succeed in a complex but fulfilling industry," ACEPT director Greg Guppy said.

Oil Search maintenance centre superintendent Mark Hansen said the company was impressed with ACEPT's curriculum, personnel and facilities.

"With our operations in PNG set to expand, this promises to be a lasting relationship that will bring enormous benefits to the national workforce and economy," Mr Hansen said.