IChemE to support PETRONAS' skills expansion
2nd July 2014
PETRONAS has become the first organisation in Malaysia to receive accreditation for its company training scheme by global professional body, the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).
PETRONAS, the national oil company of Malaysia, currently employs more than 30,000 employees group-wide, including 3,500 chemical engineers. It plans to grow rapidly over the next few years, including building the USD16 billion Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) project.
PETRONAS expects it will need additional chemical engineers to support its expansion and in recent years has been working closely with the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), to develop its own world-class and globally recognised training scheme.
In June 2014, PETRONAS achieved a major milestone in its skills development strategy with formal accreditation by IChemE for its internal company training scheme called Accelerated Capability Development (ACD) for chemical engineering.
Paul Ellis, chair of IChemE in Malaysia, said: 'PETRONAS is the first company in Malaysia to achieve Accredited Company Training Scheme (ACTS) status. It's a fantastic achievement and they now have in place an internationally-recognised training scheme of the highest standards.
'They are well set to support their growth plans built around a highly-qualified and skilled team of chemical engineers. We congratulate them on their success and look forward to working with them closely for many years to come.'
In addition to PETRONAS' ACTS accreditation, the first five employees to become Chartered Chemical Engineers (CEng) and Members of the Institution (MIChemE), resulting from the collaboration, were announced by IChemE: Salihin Mohamed Ismail - process engineering manager; Ikmal Hisham Maharon - manager, plant improvement and projects; Muhammad Jauhari Hashim - manager, hydrocarbon treatment engineering; Norfaizah Ab Manan - manager, technology management department; and Amru Iskandar Burhan - manager PSR-1 MG3 planning.
Sazali bin Hamzah, president/chief executive officer of PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad, who is himself a chemical engineer, said: 'First and foremost, I would like to thank IChemE for all its support and guidance.
'The accreditation of PETRONAS’ ACD for chemical engineering by IChemE's Qualification and International Development function is an important milestone in our ongoing effort to improve and standardise the quality of development of world-class chemical engineers in PETRONAS.
'It also serves as an acknowledgement of the unwavering commitment by PETRONAS to ensure engineering capabilities are further developed to the required levels at the right time within its engineering fraternity, specifically its professional chemical engineers who are capable of creating and delivering value to PETRONAS.
'This international standard accreditation will further motivate us to produce more Chartered Chemical Engineers.”