Left: Health, Safety, Sustainability & Environment Director for TotalEnergies EP PNG Ltd Marie-Alix Dognin and POM Tech Principal Henry Wamaingu
Operator of the Papua LNG project, TotalEnergies EP PNG limited (TotalEnergies), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Port Moresby Technical School (POM Tech) on Wednesday, February 5, renewing TotalEnergies support of their TVET scolarship receipients of 2024, who will progress to their National Certificate 3 this year.
The Papua LNG TVET education scholarships enable 82 current scholars at POM Tech, 15 of whom are female, to complete their academic journey and obtain certification within their various construction industry trades.
Papua LNG remains committed to becoming a significant contributor to the country’s workforce development, promoting training and building the capacity for future employment of PNG citizens. As such, the Project has made a pledge to renew the scholarship program for the current cohort.
Since its inception in 2019 at POM Tech, the Papua LNG TVET scholarship program has seen more than 270 students from Gulf Province and surrounding provinces, benefit. Those students have since graduated in various National Certificate courses, including Electronics, Metal Fabrication Welding, Automotive Electrical, Diesel and Heavy Equipment Fitting, Plumbing, and others.
The scholarship package at POM Tech has and continues to include student support by way of boarding and tuition fees, an annual issue of personal protective equipment (PPE); transportation to and from Gulf Province in partnership with Gulf Provincial Government; and fortnightly student stipends. This ensures that barriers to eligible Gulf, and wider PNG students’ participation in TVET education are removed where possible.
Support is not only financial but also pastoral. To reduce the challenges faced by the students in 2024, TotalEnergies together with Bank South Pacific (BSP), assisted scholarship recipients to open their personal bank accounts, obtain personal identification and seek support during matters of health, family, or other obligations that might impact their success in school. TotalEnergies are ensuring care and transparency for the students, whilst supporting the security of POM Tech’s administration by removing the need for cash transactions on campus.
Several students who have graduated from POM Tech have continued to employment in various capacities, both on the Papua LNG project, and in careers in other PNG companies and industries.
Health, Safety, Sustainability and Environment (HSSE) Director for TotalEnergies Marie-Alix Dognin in her remarks, highlighted the important role POM Tech has played in being the pioneer school for the Papua LNG TVET scholarship program and reiterated TotalEnergies’ continued support to the institution and the sponsored students in 2025.
POM Tech Principal Henry Wamaingu reiterated the importance of the institute in training the young people to upskill themselves to participate in future resource projects.
“More than 200 students have graduated as a result of the Scholarship program. So, it’s important that the youths, especially from the Project Area communities, acquire these skills so that they can participate in the Project or spin offs, whatever opportunities that can come because of the Project happening,” he said. In attendance to witness the signing were representatives from the Project Operator, representatives from POM Tech along with other Project partners.
Back row L-R: TotalEnergies Training & Workforce development coordinator Peter Konaka, TotalEnergies National Content Manager Mary-Anne Reene, POM Tech Assistant Registrar Henao Mea, TotalEnergies Workforce Training Coordinator Susan Age and Public Affairs Manager Richard Kassman
Front row: Health, Safety, Sustainability & Environment Director Marie-Alix Dognin and POM Tech Principal Henry Wamaingu