The Western Australian Government’s Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Jobs Taskforce is set to receive a significant boost from Australia’s oil and gas industry in the form of a $400,000 grant.
This funding is an industry-led initiative to standardise training of LNG workers so their qualifications are recognised by all LNG operating companies.
The initiative called LNG Operator Skills Framework is an industry training fund administered by Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) that has collected levies paid by member and non-member companies sponsoring workers on the now-suspended 457 visas.
This training program will create the materials and coursework needed to ensure LNG process operators have the necessary skills to work safely and competently on an LNG plant.
APPEA chief executive Andrew McConville said the “world-class initiative” would help solve problems of increasing costs for companies and causing “frustration for workers having to retrain when they start work at a new LNG plant.”
“Once finalised, the new training modules will ensure everyone who completes the course has skills and knowledge which will be recognised industry-wide,” he said.
McConville said having the course available in Western Australia will not only benefit the local LNG industry but also companies that operate plants Australia-wide.
“In addition, it’s expected the training will also attract students from around Australia and the world who are looking to further their careers by obtaining this industry-recognised qualification,” he said.
Work on the LNG Operator Skills Framework is under way and expected to complete during the first quarter of 2020.
APPEA and member companies Chevron, INPEX, Santos, Shell and Woodside all participate in the LNG Jobs Taskforce.