Aspiring maritime cadets can expect to continue to further their training and have access to employment opportunities, following the renewal of partnership between the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) Education Division and P&O Maritime Logistics. The recent renewal of partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was to extend its joint Maritime Cadet Scholarship program. Through the MOU, maritime cadets who are recipients of the OTDF Maritime Scholarship are eligible to complete their 24-month sea-time experience on-board P&O Maritime Logistics vessels. The renewed agreement maps out the respective roles and responsibilities of OTDF and P&O Maritime Logistics for the implementation of the training that commenced recently. Speaking about the signing, John Connor, Head of Australia and PNG at P&O Maritime Logistics said, “At P&O Maritime Logistics we want to make a lasting impact on the communities we operate in. The cadet program is therefore very important for us and we are pleased to continue our relationship with OTDF.” “Together we aim to produce highly skilled seafarers and positively impact their lives by offering employment opportunities. We look forward to the sustained mutual benefits that this partnership will continue to bring.” The partnership has been instrumental in also promoting sustainable development and fostering positive change. Mr. Connor expressed his gratitude for the collaboration with OTDF via the cadet’s program and other community initiatives in the Western province. Equally pleased about the partnership was Havini Vira, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at OTDF. “This partnership is an investment in young people from Western province to make strong and positive contributions to their families, their community, the province and the country,” he said. Andrew Mari who the Manager Program Services & Sustainable Development at OTDF, thanked P&O for the partnership and looked forward to continue this good working relationship. Meanwhile, in 2019 about four successful candidates, two deck and two engineering cadets started their sea time training under the first agreement, and so far, 20 cadets have been trained since the inception of the program in 2013.