Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) has marked a significant milestone in its efforts to nurture Papua New Guinean talent, celebrating nine graduates who successfully completed the company’s two-year Graduate Development Programme.
At a ceremony in Port Moresby, KPHL Managing Director Wapu Sonk presented certificates of appreciation to the young professionals and officially welcomed them into full-time roles. He commended their commitment and potential, noting: “This is the beginning of your journey with Kumul Petroleum. It is you young people who will carry the company forward in the future.”
Sonk underscored the company’s wider mission to build national capability in the petroleum and energy sector. “As the national petroleum and energy company, we need people of your calibre to push the company forward, through your work ethic and respective skill sets,” he said.
He further pointed to the strategic importance of upcoming KPHL projects and the graduates’ role in ensuring Papua New Guinea secures maximum benefits from its resources. “Our mandate is to the citizens of this country. We work and do what we do so our people benefit from our projects. Other organisations operate for profit – we have a different calling, a responsibility to our people," he added.
The graduates, who began their journey in 2023, have now taken up positions within the company’s divisions. Two have joined Finance, while seven have entered Operations, specialising in sub-surface and special projects.
Throughout the programme, mentors and supervisors guided their professional growth. Sonk extended his thanks to them, saying: “Your guidance has been instrumental in shaping the future of these young professionals.”
By investing in the next generation, KPHL has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to developing Papua New Guinea’s human capital and securing a sustainable future for the country’s petroleum and energy sector.
