20 February 2008
On-job training (OJT) in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plants abroad is part of the two-year Yemen LNG Company technical training scheme. The scheme aims to build the technical workforce in time for the start up and operation of the LNG liquefaction plant which is being constructed at Balhaf, on the coast of Shabwah Governorate. Over 200 trainees from every governorate of Yemen are currently being equipped with the technical and non-technical skills required for employment in Balhaf starting in the summer of 2008.

On the practical side, the company has sent 84 trainees on OJT to two LNG plants; SEGAS in Egypt (18 trainees) and PT BADAK in Indonesia (66 trainees). The trainees, under the supervision of both Yemen LNG experienced instructors and OJT site personnel, are being exposed to hands-on experience in LNG operations before they participate in the commissioning and start-up of the LNG plant in Balhaf. Prior to assignment on OJT, the trainees have undergone training in Oil & Gas Technology in addition to specific training in the Process or Maintenance disciplines, depending on their technical speciality at the Yemen LNG Training Centre. The success of the on-job training has been remarkable. “Yemen LNG trainees’ achievement and success are the results of the strong syllabus and hard work …” said Abdulhakim Al Zubeidi, the Deputy Head of Technical Training.

Last week, trainees on OJT at PT BADAK LNG plant in Indonesia participated in a Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) competition and won the “Favourite Team” title. This competition is an annual event which involves all staff in addition to representatives from the military, police, and the neighbouring community. The main objective is to enhance the team spirit of employees and to improve their HSE skills.

Yemen LNG trainees participated in three different competitions: fire fighting; first aid; and rescue. Commenting on the Yemen LNG team participation, Mr. Abdelkader Attallah, Yemen LNG OJT Coordinator, said “Even though our participants are still trainees, they showed a high degree of motivation and this reflected a good image of both Yemen LNG and Yemen.”

In SEGAS, the training programme is also progressing and the trainees are making the most of this opportunity, according to Abdulrahman Al Maqtari, “Our trainees are keen to gain both theoretical and practical knowledge. They have learned a lot since they started their OJT and they are confident now to operate all LNG equipment.”

Additional OJT is planned for other batches after the completion of their theoretical and practical training.

Yemen LNG conducts its training at its dedicated and fully equipped Training Centre in Sana’a. The Centre was inaugurated in April 2006 by H. E. Minister of Oil and Minerals, Mr. Khaled Mahfoud Bahah. A new training centre is being built in Balhaf to continue to develop the skills of the company workforce at site during the operational phase which is expected to begin in 2009.