APLNG Partners with Construction Skills Queensland (Australia)

Australia Pacific LNG has formed a strategic alliance with Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) to build the 6,000 strong workforce required for the construction phase of its CSG to LNG project.

As part of the alliance, CSQ will fund a position within Australia Pacific LNG to work with its contractors during the construction phase to ensure there are people with the skills needed to complete the project.

Australia Pacific LNG Project Director, Page Maxson said the recent final investment decision had given the project a green light to proceed and as a result work would begin ramping up on project facilities throughout regional Queensland.

“We currently employ 1,600 people, mostly in Queensland and will create a further 6,000 jobs during the construction phase and 1,000 jobs for the ongoing operation of the project. These will be across a wide range of professions including pipeline workers, engineers, field and process plant operators, rig operators, metal workers, site and project managers, mechanics and fitters, as well as builders, electrical and instrument trades,” Mr Maxson said.

“In order to reach these targets and meet the project’s milestones it’s essential that our contractors have access to an appropriately skilled workforce.

“By working closely with CSQ we can support our contractors and ensure the skilled workforce is available and the highest work practices and safety standards are adhered to,” he said.

“This alliance is great news not only for the Australia Pacific LNG project but also for Queensland as it will ensure the state retains a skilled workforce with a strong industrial capability.”

CSQ Chief Executive Officer, Brett Schimming said the alliance with Australia Pacific LNG was unique to the industry and indicative of CSQ’s approach to address skills shortages.

“Our industry survey indicates that about two-thirds of companies intend to hire new staff or contractors in the next year and about 40 percent of those surveyed have already experienced difficulties in filling roles,” Mr Schimming said.

“The burgeoning oil and gas industry in regional Queensland is adding to this growing demand for skilled labour. By proactively working together, Australia Pacific LNG and CSQ can ensure that Queensland has the capacity to meet this demand now and into the future.”

The Australia Pacific LNG project is a joint venture between Origin, ConocoPhillips and Sinopec. The project includes the development of existing coal seam gas fields in the Surat and Bowen basins and construction of a gas transmission pipeline from the gas fields to an LNG plant at Gladstone.

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Source: APLNG, August 31, 2011