The future is looking bright for a group of 11 Timorese engineers who recently completed a unique Vocational Education and Training program with Charles Darwin University (CDU).
The program, initiated by CDU and ConocoPhillips, brought the group of Timorese engineers to the Top End in April for a series of training blocks aimed at advancing their skill set and career prospects.
Program Manager, David Cook said that CDU’s Mining, Engineering and Fabrication team were approached by ConocoPhillips in mid-January for initial discussions and planning.
“The main focus was to provide these students with hands-on training which could be applied in potential future roles as trainee process operators working on live processing plants,” he said.
“The training program, which incorporated numeracy and literacy support, also included two extra competencies in order to recognise the group’s excellent skills and rapid progress.
“The aim has always been to provide them with the essential hands-on training required to facilitate a move into mainstream employment, and the program has been a huge success,” Mr Cook said.
The engineers were each awarded a Statement of Attainment in recognition for their achievements as part of a recent function held in Student Square.