The national oil firm is providing a great opportunity for youths in Sabah, Sarawak and Terengganu

By TMR

PETROLIAM Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has partnered the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and participating oil and gas services and equipment (OGSE) contractors through a new apprenticeship programme aimed to create a sustainable pipeline of local semi-skilled oil and gas (O&G) workers.

In the collaboration, the participants would first attend CIDB’s training institution — Akademi Binaan Malaysia — before undergoing an apprenticeship programme at sixteen Petronas contractors’ facilities in Sabah, Sarawak and Terengganu.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) exchange ceremony was held recently to mark the first phase of the apprenticeship programme.

“This collaboration serves as a platform for the training and certification of youths to have the required skills for the O&G industry, funnelling them into employment to ensure sustainable pipeline of skilled talents for the sustenance and continuity of operations,” Petronas senior VP, project delivery and technology Samsudin Miskon (picture) said in a statement.

“Petronas is providing a great opportunity for youths in Sabah, Sarawak and Terengganu to be employed in the O&G industry at their respective states, in the spirit of giving back to the community.”

He added that the programme is part of Petronas’ continuous effort to shape the industry through capability building initiatives and collaborations with various enablers to improve the ecosystem in which local OGSE players can increase their resilience and competitiveness.

Ministry of Works secretary general Datuk Dr Syed Omar Sharifuddin Syed Ikhsan, who represented Works Minister Baru Bian, witnessed the MoU exchange.

“Through these collaborations between Petronas, CIDB and other O&G players, industry players not only have the opportunity to acquire trained and accredited local workers, they also play a crucial role in the continued development of their industry competencies, which benefits the organisation’s growth as well as meets the workforce needs for projects and the industry in general,” he said.

Meanwhile, CIDB CEO Datuk Ir Ahmad ‘Asri Abdul Hamid said Petronas’ efforts to find solutions for the talent gap in the OGSE sector have also helped create a channel for students in the construction line gain employment in the O&G industry.