A group of 20 young apprentices from underprivileged families in Indonesia are ready to take their first steps into the engineering construction industry after graduating with ECITB ICE Level 2 qualifications in welding.
The cohort from the Kutai Kertanegara region in East Kalimantan completed the programme in just over three months at the training centre of Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) Global Licensed Provider Petrotekno in Batam, Riau Islands Province.
The programme, which was jointly funded by the local government of Kutai Kartanegara with SKK Migas, consisted of three phases – an induction followed by core and technical modules.
The training was dual certified between ECITB Global and BNSP, the Regulatory Authority in Indonesia, to provide the industry with the opportunity to closely monitor the quality of apprentices and ensure training and competency levels meet industry requirements.
It also provides employment opportunities for the apprentices once qualified to the ECITB/BNSP national and international qualifications.
ECITB Global Regional Manager Paul Angus was on hand to congratulate the apprentices at the graduation ceremony, alongside Petrotekno Director Hendra Pribadi and his team, as well as representatives from BNSP, SKKMigas and the country’s national oil and gas company, Pertamina.
ECITB’s Paul Angus (centre, bottom left) with the young apprentices on the day they picked up their graduation certificates
“I was honoured and delighted to be invited to attend this prestigious event and illustrate how proud we all are of the young graduates,” said Paul.
“For all 20 apprentices to graduate was a fantastic achievement and this is the start of what will be a rewarding and long career. They are the welders, managers, trainers and inspectors of the future.
“This was a local and very worthwhile initiative to upskill workers of the local community and we were proud to put our name to it. We would like to thank everyone that has made this possible.”
Meeting skills needs in Indonesia
ECITB International Business Development Manager Jason Riley met the apprentices in their first week of the programme in October 2023 as part of a visit to Petrotekno’s Batam facility.
He said: “There is a significant shortage of skilled welders in Indonesia, and especially in Batam, to support major oil and gas platform construction projects.
“ECITB Global ICE qualifications in Batam will increase competency levels to meet the ever-growing industry requirements for skilled and competent workers.
“The Government recruitment criteria for this initial ICE programme was to recruit young people from underprivileged families in Kutai Kertanegara to create life-changing opportunities and experiences.
“Having had the pleasure to meet all of the apprentices at the start of the programme, it was brilliant to see their willingness to learn, enthusiasm and amazing respectful attitudes. They are a credit to both their families and Petrotekno.”
ECITB’s Jason Riley (top, centre) visited the apprentices during their training in Batam