Thirteen refrigeration mechanics at Newcrest Lihir operation in the Namatanai district of New Ireland have successfully and safely completed their first trade test in electrical at the Lihir Technical Training Centre (LTTC) recently.
This reflects Newcrest’s strong commitment to supporting career development for Papua New Guineans and aligns with the company’s ‘people’ pillar.
For these refrigeration mechanics, the opportunity to pursue a second trade will change their lives and the lives of their families and potentially have a positive impact on the operation.
In congratulating the 13 employees, LTTC’s Senior Trainer Philip Narokobi said their efforts reflect resilience in their transformation 2 (T2) journey in forging a stronger Newcrest. Lihir’s T2 journey focuses on equipping the workforce with the training needed to drive positive results at work and at homes and communities.
“Once they successfully complete and pass all three levels of the electrical trade test conducted by the National Apprentice and Trade Testing Board (NATTB), they will then be qualified to do electrical work within the operation and anywhere in PNG. I thank NATTB for being part of this journey. We value NATTB as an important stakeholder in developing technical talents in PNG,” said Narokobi.
Refrigeration Maintenance Supervisor Ivan Anabe is one of the electrical trade test candidates. He said: “This journey has allowed us (supervisors) and our teams to appreciate each other as candidates for a new trade regardless of our titles and positions in our first trade. Our journey is significant and special to us.”
Currently, refrigeration work in Lihir requires a qualified electrician to accompany a refrigeration mechanic. Anabe explained that this process is time consuming, costly and affects the team’s key performance indicators (KPIs).
Anabe, Anthony Bala, Anthony Kimbange, Josiah Bland, Arnold Mombi, Moses Marabe, Joe Zanayes, Ekim Irun, Tony Itiak, Hosea Ulul, Albert Diulo, Benjamin Serry and Wilson Namui started their electrical trade training program in July 2018 to prepare them for the 13 tasks in the first electrical trade test.
LTTC trainers Nason Buka and Felix Tombo, and Lihir’s Back End Electrical Supervisors Lazarus Pius and Tazan Aming assessed the candidates diligently and ensured the trade test safely finished on time.
(Refrigeration mechanic Josiah Bland doing a task in the electrical trade test)