OPITO partners with JPDC for global downstream oil and gas industry accreditation

11 November 2022, Kuala Lumpur – Johor Petroleum Development Corporation Berhad (JPDC) and OPITO have jointly commenced a programme to prepare up to ten public technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions in Malaysia to receive global accreditation as training institutions for the downstream oil and gas industry. The accreditation programmed will run until end of 2023 with funding from the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister’s Department.

The commencement of the accreditation programme is marked by an agreement exchange ceremony between JPDC and OPITO at the OPITO Global 2022 conference held in Kuala Lumpur on 9 and 10 November 2022.

JPDC (jpdc.gov.my) is a subsidiary of Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC), and both agencies ultimately report to the EPU. JPDC’s mandates include being the lead agency for the planning and co-ordination of the downstream oil and gas industry development in Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC), promotion and facilitation of inward-bound investments in downstream oil and gas and petrochemicals into PIPC, development of industry-ready manpower as well as facilitation of participation by local workers and business people in the PIPC economic growth.

OPITO (opito.com), based in Aberdeen, United Kingdom, is the leading not-for-profit international skills and qualification body for the energy sector who work with transnational industry stakeholders to develop a safe and skilled energy workforce by driving global standards and qualifications, creating workforce development solutions and leading dialogue with industries and governments.

The accreditation programme is the third phase of JPDC’s Cluster of Excellence (CoE) initiative as part of the development of skilled manpower for the downstream oil and gas industry in Malaysia. JPDC started the CoE initiative in 2019 with the objective of getting selected Malaysia’s public TVET institutions to be accredited under the OPITO Global Qualifications that are recognised by the energy industry globally.

The OPITO Global Qualifications accreditation certifies that a TVET institution offers skills training programs that meet the standards and requirements of the international energy industry, including downstream oil and gas and petrochemical activities. It also certifies that the instructors, facilities and teaching equipment at the TVET institution meet the international standard and quality to produce skilled and competent manpower for the downstream oil and gas and petrochemical industries.

Izhar Hifnei Ismail, Acting Chief Executive of JPDC says that this is the first such accreditation programme involving public TVET institutions in Malaysia. Preparation works have started for the first batch of five TVET institutions, namely:

• Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Johor
• Institut Latihan Perindustrian (ILP) Pasir Gudang, Johor
• Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA (KKTM), Kemaman, Terengganu
• Politeknik Tun Syed Nasir Syed Ismail (PTSN), Johor
• Pusat Latihan Teknologi Tinggi (ADTEC), Kemaman, Terengganu

Five more public TVET institutions are at present being assessed on their state of readiness to be included in the second batch of accreditation exercise. The second exercise is planned to commence by the first quarter of 2023.

Izhar says: “With Malaysia’s public TVET institutions being accredited under the OPITO Global Qualifications, more Malaysian manpower would be able to earn internationally-recognised competency certificates in downstream oil and gas and petrochemical activities and increase their opportunities to earn higher wages.”

“This would add further value to JPDC’s long-term plan in preparing industry-ready Malaysian manpower for the operational phase of PIPC, as well as for the national energy industry, through our Skills in Oil and Gas (SOGA) and Bridging Gaps training programmes,” Izhar adds.

JPDC has organised upskilling and re-skilling training programmes for almost 7,000 manpower for the downstream oil and gas and petrochemical activities in PIPC and Malaysia over the ten-year period from 2013 to 2022, with 95 per cent employment rate for the manpower upon their completion of the training.

John McDonald, CEO of OPITO says OPITO is delighted to be working with JPDC, to accredit TVET institutions within the region to OPITO standards. “OPITO and JPDC share an ambition to ensure that this programme is mutually beneficial to the current workforce who will benefit from internationally-recognised and proven standards, as well as to the next generation of energy professionals and employers in PIPC and across Malaysia.”

“Engaging the next generation of young people in energy skills is a core part of OPITO’s strategy and we believe it is vital for us to deliver a safe, secure and reliable supply of energy in years to come.”

“We are looking forward to working closely with our colleagues at JPDC and the public TVET institutions under the CoE initiative and building on our 50-year legacy of driving global standards, qualifications and workforce development solutions.”