PNGUoT & RAIL – Successfully Achieves Initial Breakthrough in Onsite OHSRM Training
The Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT) and the Ramu Agri-Industries Limited (RAIL) had for the first time witnessed a positive breakthrough in bringing Occupational Health, Safety and Risk Management Training (OHRSM) to the Industri’s doorsteps.
This was a positive milestone, and a beginning of the new bond established between the two organizations.
The initial breakthrough was witnessed by the top CEOs; the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr. Garry Sali, and the RAIL CEO, Mr. Ruari McWilliam during the official certificates presentation to 39 of the industry’s senior staffs.
These staff successfully completed a 14 days intensive training provided at the Ramu Sugar Industry site on the 9th December 2024.
(Sitting 4th from the left) Dr. Garry Sali DVC and next to him Mr. Ruari McWilliam CEO of RAIL, surrounded by Senior personnels from RAIL, OHSRM training team, and the RAIL participants.
In his remarks, Dr. Sali provided a brief background stating that the OHRSM training began about 11 years ago to fulfill the gaps that continued to exist in the area of safety and risk managements in the PNG industries.
It began with minimal participants, and as time passed on, many began to realise the essence of safety and risk management in the workplaces, thus increased in the number of participants over the years.
He gratefully acknowledged the School of Communication and Development Studies (SCDS) for its commitments and enthusiasm for continued provision of this vitally important training both as part of the undergraduate degree program and through the consultancy services program.
He further encouraged the school to keep up the spirit in offering the program.
Dr. Sali, informed the participants that the University has its vision to train technocrats for the real world and OHRSM training is part of it.
He further stated that the certificates they are receiving would significantly give a boost to their profiles because they are issued by the university and the DVC’s sealed signature.
Dr. Sali on behalf of the university and its management, thanked the RAIL’s CEO and his management for taking a bold step to inviting SCDS team for on-site workplace OHRSM training, and in addition for signing the MOU for ongoing trainings between the two organizations.
He acknowledged in his closing remarks that the university is quite happy to work in partnership with industries like the RAIL and this is the very first of its kind to bring such trainings to the doorsteps of the industry. He appreciatively acknowledged the RAIL management for initiating it and stated that this was the beginning of more invitations to come from other industries likewise.
The RAIL CEO, Mr. Ruari McWilliam on behalf of the company and its managements thanked PNGUoT for accepting their invitation for the onsite training, and sending the SCDS team to execute it.
He further stated that the training was his visions to upskill all workforce of the industry, and this was the beginning.
A participant representing the trainees acknowledged the CEO and RAIL management for giving them, out of the thousands the opportunity to take up the important training.
He also acknowledged the presence of the university DVC, and the facilitating team.
He expressed his words of gratitude to the facilitators for the interactive approaches used to provide the training.
He finally concluded commending that the training received were of higher significance, and that it had given new insights and prepared them to take on the challenges that they had overlooked many times, and avoided to effectively manage risks and safe practices in the workplaces.
The training closed on a very high note.
…Story Contributed by Joshua Kuri