Seven graduate engineers who joined the NBPOL Cadetship Program early this year have completed their three-month attachment at the NBPOL Management Training Academy at Ramu in August.   

This 2022 batch of Graduate Engineering Mill Cadets were recent graduates of the PNG University of Technology (Unitech), who have now been assigned to the Erap Mill (MFCL), Numundo and Kumbango Mills (WNB), Sangara Mill (HOP) and Madang Copra Mill.   

Besides the three months of classroom-based training at the Academy, the group also completed 10 weeks of on-the job training (OJT) at the Gusap and Erap mills. They spent about five months in the Ramu and Markham valleys between March and August. 

Seven graduate engineers who joined the NBPOL Cadetship Program early this year have completed their three-month attachment at the NBPOL Management Training Academy at Ramu in August. This 2022 batch of Graduate Engineering Mill Cadets were recent graduates of the PNG University of Technology (Unitech), who have now been assigned to the Erap Mill (MFCL), Numundo and Kumbango Mills (WNB), Sangara Mill (HOP) and Madang CopraMill.   

Besides the three months of classroom-based training at the Academy, the group also completed 10 weeks of On-the Job Training (OJT) at the Gusap and Erap mills. They spent about five months in the Ramu and Markham valleys between March and August. 

Training Manager, Guy Edwards said the training program also included having visiting mill management trainers from several NBPOL sites. “The cadets received classroom-based training on management, leadership, sustainability, building better teams, train the trainer, cost management, first aid and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) awareness training,” said Edwards.  

Edwards also mentioned that throughout the Academy Cadet training, there was strong emphasis on developing and understanding the importance of self-discipline, setting high standards, demonstrating appropriate management behaviours, being a good role model, and core to all this is having a professional attitude.   

They will continue with their cadet OJT programs at their assigned mills under the direction of their mill managers, following a Mill Cadet OJT Schedule.   
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Edwards added that while on OJT, the cadets are expected to receive meaningful and ongoing Coaching and Mentoring (C &M) from their managers, submit monthly Cadet OJT reports, C&M log sheets and mill station assignments. Finally, the cadets will need to present OJT research projects to a senior management panel.   

“The cadets are monitored closely during the cadet OJT period and must submit monthly reports, monthly C&M log sheets and Mill Station Assignments, plus OJT research projects. Mill Managers managing the cadets during the OJT have a key responsibility to support, C&M and develop their cadets into competent and confident Shift Engineers /Shift Superintendents by the end of the Cadet Training Program,” said Edwards.