Santos GLNG Project Partners with SkillsTech Australia

Santos GLNG Project has today announced an Australian-first million-dollar-plus partnership with SkillsTech Australia to establish a specialised Coal Seam Gas (CSG) and Gas Transmission Pipeline Operations Training Centre in Acacia Ridge, Brisbane.

Santos GLNG Project has entered an agreement with SkillsTech Australia to train 70 employees; 60 training positions for its gas field operations and a further 10 training positions for operating its underground gas transmission pipeline. The courses, of up-to two years, will be a mixture of classroom and practical training, and on-the-job experience necessary to convert existing trade qualifications to specialised gas industry qualifications.

President Santos GLNG Mark Macfarlane said the program provided the opportunity for tradespeople working in other areas to transition to the growing CSG to LNG industry and draw from a wealth of international experience and knowledge.

“We worked with SkillsTech Australia because we saw a real gap in the market to be able to employ skilled people who wanted to join our project, but lacked experience working in our industry,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“One of the great things about this initiative is that it harnesses the strength of our international partnership with PETRONAS, one of the world’s largest LNG producers, and our partnership with Australian energy pioneer Santos, to transfer knowledge and expertise to benefit and grow our local workforce.”

The 60 trainees focussing on building gas field qualifications will graduate with a Process Manufacturing Certificate III, after around 18 months to two years of training in the Centre and on-the-job. After they graduate they will be provided with a job as an operator within Santos GLNG Project’s gas fields.

For the 10 gas transmission pipeline operational training positions, the emphasis will be on developing skills to operate a large diameter, high-pressure, underground gas transmission pipeline aligned with Certificate III in Gas Industry Operation.

Mr Macfarlane said the gas transmission pipeline trainees would be given the unique opportunity to travel to Malaysia and complete six weeks of on-the-job training with PETRONAS.

“These positions will be quite specialised and integral to managing the flow of gas through Santos GLNG Project major pipeline from Roma to Gladstone, once construction is completed, in order to feed the LNG plant on Curtis Island,” Mr Macfarlane said.

Santos GLNG Project will be donating around $360,000 of equipment to SkillsTech Australia to allow them to provide real-life, hands-on training. This equipment includes compressors, components, pumping equipment, separators, drive-heads, spooling, powerpacs and various specialised hand tools.

Mr Macfarlane said Santos’ qualified experts in the field would also share the company’s 15 years of coal seam gas operations experience, knowledge, and expertise with the SkillsTech Australia trainers.

“We will essentially be training the trainers. Additionally, we will be drawing on the expertise from our Project partner PETRONAS and will arrange for the SkillsTech Australia trainer of the gas transmission pipeline to go to Malaysia and learn from the best,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Queensland is poised to become one of the largest LNG producers and exporters in the world and this training program is a vital step to ensuring our industry has the skilled workforce it needs.”

Mr Macfarlane said today’s announcement was further evidence of the opportunities the CSG to LNG industry is creating for Queenslanders.

“We are proud of the positive legacy this training centre and partnership will leave for the future,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“We are seeking tradespeople, such as electricians, mechanics and plumbers, who are looking to upskill and learn the skills required to become part of this exciting new CSG to LNG industry.”

Santos GLNG Project is looking to recruit trainees between now and early next year with first courses due to start March 2012.

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LNG World News Staff, December 07, 2011