GiatMARA Labuan to collaborate with leading ship builder and O&G players for skills programmes

LABUAN: GiatMARA Labuan is set to collaborate with Labuan Shipyard Engineering (LSE) Sdn Bhd, a prominent shipbuilder in Asia, and key players in the oil and gas (O&G) industry to offer various skills programmes to provide employment opportunities to trainees upon graduation.

This initiative aims to position GiatMARA Labuan as the centre of excellence for Labuan’s thriving oil and gas sector.

GiatMARA Labuan advisory chairman Datuk Mohd Rafi Alli Hassan said discussions with LSE management have already taken place, with further talks planned with leading oil and gas companies.

LSE is renowned as a leading integrated solutions provider for shipbuilding, ship repair, and oil and gas services in the AsiaPacific region.

Mohd Rafi highlighted plans to enhance existing skills programmes, such as welding, to align them with the needs of the oil and gas sector.

He said additionally, new courses like scaffolding training and blasting and painting would be introduced.

Mohd Rafi said these programmes, funded with an allocation of RM300,000 from the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, are scheduled to commence this year, with 50 new trainees.

“The collaboration with LSE is crucial due to its extensive facilities and range of skills services … by partnering with industry leaders, we aim to ensure trainees secure future employment opportunities, ultimately transforming GiatMARA into Labuan’s centre of excellence,” he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama on Saturday.

He further elaborated on plans to collaborate with oil and gas giants such as Halliburton, Schlumberger, and Petronas, and the objective is to produce skilled O&G trainees to meet industry demand.

Mohd Rafi emphasised the preference of multinational companies for employing local workers, provided they possess the requisite skills.

“Our goal is to produce at least 20-50 skilled GiatMARA graduates to meet the demands of the oil and gas sectors…this collaboration will not only enhance GiatMARA’s reputation but also create employment opportunities for locals,” he added.

Mohd Rafi’s appointment as GiatMARA Labuan’s advisory chairman was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Rural and Regional Development. GiatMARA comes under the ministry.