Johor Petroleum Development Corporation Berhad (JPDC) and OPITO have jointly commenced a program to prepare up to ten public technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions in Malaysia to receive global accreditation as training institutions for the downstream oil and gas industry. The accreditation program will run until end of 2023 with funding from the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister’s Department.
The commencement of the accreditation program is marked by an agreement exchange ceremony between JPDC and OPITO at the OPITO Global 2022 conference held in Kuala Lumpur on 9 and 10 November.
The accreditation program is the third phase of JPDC’s Cluster of Excellence (CoE) initiative as part of the development of skilled manpower for the downstream oil and gas industry in Malaysia. JPDC started the CoE initiative in 2019 with the objective of getting selected Malaysia’s public TVET institutions to be accredited under the OPITO Global Qualifications that are recognised by the energy industry globally.
The OPITO Global Qualifications accreditation certifies that a TVET institution offers skills training programs that meet the standards and requirements of the international energy industry, including downstream oil and gas and petrochemical activities. It also certifies that the instructors, facilities and teaching equipment at the TVET institution meet the international standard and quality to produce skilled and competent manpower for the downstream oil and gas and petrochemical industries.
Izhar Hifnei Ismail, Acting Chief Executive of JPDC says that this is the first such accreditation program involving public TVET institutions in Malaysia. Preparation works have started for the first batch of five TVET institutions, namely:
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Johor
Institut Latihan Perindustrian (ILP) Pasir Gudang, Johor
Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA (KKTM), Kemaman, Terengganu Politeknik Tun Syed Nasir Syed Ismail (PTSN), Johor
Pusat Latihan Teknologi Tinggi (ADTEC), Kemaman, Terengganu
JPDC and OPITO will be guiding and advising the five TVET institutions in their preparations to achieve the accreditation, targeted to be completed by the second quarter of 2023.
Five more public TVET institutions are at present being assessed on their state of readiness to be included in the second batch of the accreditation exercise. The second exercise is planned to commence by the first quarter of 2023.
Izhar says, “With Malaysia’s public TVET institutions being accredited under the OPITO Global Qualifications, more Malaysian manpower would be able to earn internationally-recognised competency certificates in downstream oil and gas and petrochemical activities, and increase their opportunities to earn higher wages.”
“This would add further value to JPDC’s long-term plan in preparing industry-ready Malaysian manpower for the operational phase of PIPC, as well as for the national energy industry, through our Skills in Oil and Gas (SOGA) and Bridging Gaps training programs,” Izhar adds.
JPDC has organised upskilling and re-skilling training programmes for almost 7,000 manpower for the downstream oil and gas and petrochemical activities in PIPC and Malaysia over the ten-year period from 2013 to 2022, with 95 percent employment rate for the manpower upon their completion of the training.
John McDonald, CEO of OPITO says OPITO is delighted to be working with JPDC, to accredit TVET institutions within the region to OPITO standards. “OPITO and JPDC share an ambition to ensure that this program is mutually beneficial to the current workforce who will benefit from internationally-recognised and proven standards, as well as to the next generation of energy professionals and employers in PIPC and across Malaysia.”
“Engaging the next generation of young people in energy skills is a core part of OPITO’s strategy and we believe it is vital for us to deliver a safe, secure, and reliable supply of energy in years to come.”
