By Ms. Arlene Abital

Port Moresby, PNG, October 9, 2015 - Seven young men have successfully completed the four-week refresher training course at Don Bosco Technological Institute, East Boroko under the supervision of Mr. Erwin Napiza, Electrical Instructor. They received their certificates from Fr. Louie Castañeda, SDB, Rector of the Institution on the 9th of October, 2015. Present for the short facilitation program were personnel from ExxonMobil headed by Mr. Mark Moore, Electrical and Instrumentation Supervisor of PNG LNG (Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas) and witnessed by staff, students and guests.

Taunamo KOPI (graduated from Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu), Morgan VANAIA (Gordons Secondary School), Paias NANDIE (Hagen Park Secondary), Sebastian VETENGE (Malabanga School), Simon KOITA (Lae Secondary School), Ania PETILANI (Wawin Secondary School) and Yasi KORIAM (Port Moresby National High School) have acquired the following competencies during the course of their training. Work safety, install wiring systems-final sub circuits, install equipment, use test equipment, assemble switchboards and control panels, install and service rotation machines, install and service luminaires, decommission equipment, install wiring systems for main and sub-mains, test and connection installation, diagnose and repair faults, prepare sketch or drawing, install programmable logic controller, welding technique and proper communication in the workplace. Br. Reto Wanner, SDB has assisted these men in their Welding Techniques.

In 2012, the participants were sent to Canada by PNG LNG. In collaboration with PNG LNG, DBTI offered them a refresher training course to help them prepare for their Licensing Exam for Tradesman scheduled in February, 2016. Taunamo Kopi said that their certification acquired at DBTI is a formal requirement for their Tradesman Exam.

All the participants were delighted to be part of the great experiences at the Institute, its great facilities, good learning environment, friendly students and staff and lots of hands-on practice. Sebastian said, “the facilities at DBTI are the best compared to other similar institutions in PNG”. They also remember their spiritual growth as they participated at the celebration of Holy Mass, morning assembly, prayers and other activities at the institute. While they had enjoyed their trainings, they suggested that in any future undertakings the objectives set by the industry should be tied up with the institute and that more emphasis should be placed on workplace safety.

DBTI is grateful to ExxonMobil for the opportunity given to provide training to their technical workers. Fr. Ariel Macatangay, SDB-Principal said that this partnership between DBTI and ExxonMobil began in 2014, when ExxonMobil came over to Mary Our Help Ladies’ Dormitory to donate twenty (20) Laptops. This training has paved the way for future initiatives.

DBTI has been happy to open its doors to the Vada Vada and City Mission youth last semester and during this semester, the institute has extended its services to the industries. DBTI looks forward to continue its apostolic mission towards education, community engagement and a partnership with the industries.