Undergrad Scholars undergo Industrial Training

Ten high-performance students from the PNG University of Technology and the University of Papua New Guinea have been selected to be involved in an immersive 11-week industrial training program with Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML).

The trainees from UNITECH (7) and UPNG (3) are third-year undergraduates under OTML’s Undergraduate Students Scholarship (USS) program.

The trainees are embedded in various departments aligned with their academic disciplines, ensuring a hands-on experience gained to complement their classroom-based learning.

These departments include Processing Mechanical Maintenance, Engineering & Roads, Power Services, Process technical Services, Mine Production, Environment and Geology & Exploration.

Manager Training & Development, Ian Strachan, said, “This is a unique opportunity for these students to bridge the gap between theory and practice. We aim to provide them with an environment where they can apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, setting the stage for a successful career.”

“There starts here – this is the start of your working journey,” added Mr Strachan.

General Manager People & Culture, Mark Stone, congratulated the trainees on being selected for the scholarship program and encouraged them to seize every moment of the experience.

“This is more than a training program; it’s a chance for you to apply what you have learnt at university in the day-to-day operations of the industry, learn on-the-job from the best and forge connections that will support your future career” he remarked.

Whilst the industrial training ends in January 2024, trainees who achieve a GPA of 3.5 or above in their final academic year may have the opportunity to join the Graduate Development Scheme (GDS) program, another stepping stone towards realising a career within the company.