PNG continues to import skilled workers: Dept

Papua New Guinea will continue to import 95 per cent of its technical skills workforce from overseas, says Department of Works’ director of human resources Michael Sula.
He said this was because of 25 years’ absence in training and testing local apprentice graduates in trade pre-employment technical training (PETT) courses to maintain required strength.

There is an urgent need for certified tradesmen and women in the country.

Trade testing and training facilities, including supervisors in various technical skills to assess and recommend graduates that come through apprenticeship programmes, was outmoded in 1993.

Sula told The National that due to influx of investors, the country required a skilled workforce including mechanics, heavy equipment fitters, electricians, fabricators and welders, among others.

“We need more local skilled people in extractive and manufacturing industries” he said.

The DoW, with approval from the National Apprenticeship Trade Testing Board resurrected the National Rebuild Centre (NRC) in Lae in 2016 and has so far graduated 48 skilled people.

The NRC this year graduated eight heavy equipment fitter apprentices in block course 1 after eight weeks.

They were from HBS Lae, Hidden Valley and Simberi, Hornibrooks and Mainland Holdings Ltd.

The apprenticeship trade training is a four-year programme involving internal and external activities.

Certified assessors appraise the apprentices before certifying them as tradesmen and women.

Sula said when the Government made redundant the plant and transport branch (PTB) in 1993, the apprenticeship training programme was also shelved until the National Apprenticeship Trade Testing Board resurrected it in 2008 with first graduates in 2016.

“However, we still needed to improve the facilities and training equipment to ensure additional courses apart from current programmes in heavy equipment fitting, motor mechanics, auto electrical, panel beating and spray painting,” he said.

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Foreign affairs boss wants business at border boosted

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK, the National PNG

Papua New Guinea and Indonesia have to develop economic activities along the border, Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary Barbara Age says.
This is for West Sepik and Indonesia’s Papua Province.

Age was speaking yesterday during an economic development cooperation forum between PNG and Indonesia in Port Moresby

“We are seeing huge opportunities along the border in Batas/Wutung,” Age said. “There is greater potential to enhance business activities along the border by establishing the necessary mechanisms.

“For instance, establishing an economic zone along the border, and the necessary infrastructure and facilities, could contribute to greater cross-border trade.”

Meanwhile, a senior Indonesian government official said there was more economic potential to be developed between the two countries,

“The potential is there, but unfortunately, not many people from both countries know about it and also that we share the same land border,” Asia-Pacific and African affairs directorate general-secretary Rossy Verona said.

“That’s why we are having such a meeting so that we will identify the challenges and move on.

“We want to share a lot of cooperation with PNG, we want to share the potential of our state-owned companies, we want to develop more cooperation along the border .
“PNG is an important partner to Indonesia and we need to develop our border to develop well.”

Verona is leading the joint Indonesian government and business delegation to meet with their PNG counterparts to discuss potential economic activities between both countries.

Age has praised Indonesian Ambassador Ronald Manik for his effort in finalising the extradition treaty between Indonesia and PNG.

“This treaty, which came into force in 2018, is promoting relationships between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia,” she said

Age also thanked the Indonesian government for helping PNG host a successful Apec Leaders’ Summit, help with the supply of formal attire for staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, protocol training and training for Apec Joint Security Task Force members in small arms and light weapons.

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