Demand for at least 50,000 skilled workers in oil and gas industry

Johor Petroleum Development Corporation Bhd (JPDC) acting chief executive Izhar Hifnei Ismail (left) together with Johor works, transportation and infrastructure committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh (right).

JOHOR BARU: There is a demand in Asean countries for at least 50,000 skilled downstream oil and gas industry workers, says acting Johor Petroleum Development Corporation Bhd acting chief executive Izhar Hifnei Ismail.

He said that the Corporation was planning to train more locals to fill these positions under their Skills in Oil and Gas (Soga) and Bridging Gaps upskilling and reskilling initiatives.

"For example, for a single oil and gas plant shut-down operation, we need about 20,000 workers to conduct the plant turn-around, maintenance, repairs, and overhaul," said Izhar.

He said that there are many opportunities for locals in the industry, and added that this was why the Corporation was running these programmes.

"We can produce the needed manpower for downstream oil and gas activities in Johor," he said.

He said this when met by reporters after the Mega Gerak Kerjaya MyFuture Jobs Johor at the Arena Larkin Stadium on Saturday (July 15).

The programme was officiated by Johor works, transportation and infrastructure committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh.

Izhar added that the Corporation has produced close to 6,500 skilled workers for the Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC) under these two programmes since 2013.

"The Soga and Bridging Gaps programmes are fully funded by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister’s Department," he added.