The Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) is constructing a new fabrication and training facility to train Papua New Guineans to participate in future petroleum industry construction activities. Construction of lay down and necessary associated site work, including services rights of way and site access roads, have now started after the construction contract was signed in July. KPHL’s Corporate Affairs Executive General Manager, Luke Liria, in his presentation at the recent PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum CANCONEX conference in Lae said that KPHL as the country’s national petroleum and energy company, has a responsibility to drive development in this sector of the economy, and to provide direct financial benefits for the National Government and other stakeholders. “Our objective is to capture a market share in the fabrication of large, high-value electrical and mechanical, electrical and piping modules for future petroleum and mining developments, renewable energy and general heavy industry projects, which up until now have all been imported from overseas,” he said. “We recognize that the petroleum industry requires specialist trade skills not necessarily used by other industries in the country, skills that will increasingly be needed as petroleum projects come online.” A training facility will be established adjacent to the fabrication facility to train and upskill Papua New Guineans, who will be required in large numbers in forthcoming LNG and other major developments in the country. Mr. Liria said with Papua LNG projected to gain Final Investment Decision (FID) in 2024, followed by P’nyang LNG, it is necessary to train a cadre of Papua New Guineans with skills to participate in petroleum industry construction activities between now and 2032. Construction academy graduates will have trade skills that will enable their employment in many of the forthcoming planned major resource and other projects in the country. KPHL continues to support the national government’s effort to create employment and upskill the workforce of the country through its rural electrification programs and other projects around the country.