Students attending the Morehead Vocational Centre in the South Fly District of Western Province can now undergo hands-on training with Ok Tedi Mining Ltd.
This follows the signing of a memorandum of agreement between Ok Tedi and the Morehead Vocational Centre on 14 August 2025, marking a significant milestone aimed at providing on-the-job training for students enrolled at the institution.
The collaboration addresses the pressing challenge of securing practical placements for students, a vital component of their educational development.
Morehead Vocational Manager Ken Ware Potang expressed his gratitude, saying, “This collaboration marks a pivotal moment for Morehead Vocational Centre and a tremendous blessing to our 229 students and the broader South Fly community.”
Potang emphasised the transformative impact of Ok Tedi’s support: “Ok Tedi is not just rescuing Morehead Vocational; they are also securing the future of our students. Despite pursuing various courses, many of our students had previously struggled to find hands-on training opportunities.”
He further commended Ok Tedi and its training department for their unwavering commitment to expanding opportunities to mine-associated communities within the region.
Ok Tedi Manager for Training, Ian Strachan, said, “Through this agreement, Ok Tedi is dedicated to facilitating vocational training for our students, ensuring they acquire practical experience that equips them for their future careers.
“Ok Tedi is committed to building Papua New Guinea’s workforce. Our ongoing training initiatives—including Preferred Area Development training, apprenticeship training, the Graduate Development Scheme, and industrial training—demonstrate our commitment. Morehead is now the second school, apart from Kiunga Vocational School, we are onboarding in this commitment to develop the youth of Western Province.”
Ok Tedi’s dedication to supporting Morehead Vocational Centre represents a sustainable initiative, fostering growth and innovation within the community for years to come.
