Johor Petroleum Development Corporation Berhad (JPDC) has conducted upskilling and re-skilling training programmes for almost 6,000 manpower for the downstream oil and gas activities in Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC), Johor over the ten-year period from 2013 to 2022. Two key initiatives that have been implemented to prepare industry-ready manpower for the operational phase of PIPC are the Skills in Oil and Gas (SOGA) Programme’ and the ‘Bridging Gaps Programme’ with funding from the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department.
Izhar Hifnei Ismail, Acting Chief Executive of JPDC, says the total includes over 1,800 manpower who have completed or currently taking the ‘Skills in Oil and Gas (SOGA)’ technical and skills training programme, developed to equip Malaysian workers with the relevant mandatory certifications and skills competencies required by various companies conducting downstream oil and gas-related activities in PIPC and other parts of the country.
The SOGA programme which has been running since 2020 offers 40 technical courses for manpower involved in plant turnaround, maintenance, repair and overhaul works, safety management and energy management, which are critical for the operational phase of the facilities in PIPC. JPDC plan the courses based on the skill sets required by the companies, and the courses are conducted by 14 public technical and vocational educational and training (TVET) institutions in Malaysia. All 1,505 participants in the SOGA programmes held in 2020 and 2021 had found employment upon completing their courses.
At present, a total of 305 local youths from the Pengerang sub-district where PIPC is located are undergoing various SOGA 2022 courses preparing them for employment with five turnaround main mechanical and maintenance mechanical static (TA4MS) contractors for Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC) developed by PETRONAS and located within PIPC.
Izhar says that the second initiative, the ‘PIPC Bridging Gaps Programme’ began in 2016 with emphasis on providing Malaysia’s technical and engineering university graduates with experiential training for them to acquire the skills and gain better understanding of the roles of refinery plant engineers, field engineers and maintenance engineers in a downstream oil and gas facility environment.
A total of 700 Malaysian university graduates took part in the Bridging Gaps Programme held from 2016 to 2021, with about 70 percent of them being able to secure gainful employment in the downstream oil and gas industry in Malaysia. In 2022, fifty participants are currently going through the Programme.
Apart from the two programmes, JPDC also organised training courses for construction workers involving various trades and skillsets required by contractors during the construction of PETRONAS’ Pengerang Integrated Complex from 2015 to 2019.
Izhar spoke at JPDC’s appreciation ceremony for downstream oil and gas employers participating in and supporting SOGA Programme 2022 and Bridging Gaps Programme 2022. The ceremony is being held at the PIPC exhibition booth on the first day of the international oil, gas and petrochemicals conference, OGA x MOGSEC & PSC 2022 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 13 to 15 September 2022.
At the ceremony, JPDC and Malaysian Oil & Gas Services Council (MOGSC) exchanged letters of understanding to collaborate in developing skilled manpower and establishing a sustainable business ecosystem for the downstream oil and gas industry in PIPC and Malaysia. The collaboration will focus on three main areas, namely in jointly developing and executing technical- and skills-based manpower training and job placement; establishing a platform for Malaysian and Pengerang contractors to enhance their capabilities and get qualified to serve the industry; and encouraging and promoting MOGSC membership among downstream oil and gas contractors.
At the ceremony, JPDC presented letters of appreciation to PETRONAS Refinery and Petrochemical Corporation Sdn Bhd (PRPC), the industrial park developer and manager of Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC), and PETRONAS’ Group Procurement for Southern Region for their role in co-ordinating and enabling five turnaround main mechanical and maintenance mechanical static (TA4MS) contractors for PIC to participate in SOGA Programme 2022 as industry employers.
