Twenty Years Of Successful Partnership
Synthesis of Experience and New Technologies
In Western Kazakhstan region, the name of Karachaganak is associated with highest qualitystandards. Components of its well-established image include the advanced technologies, most modern equipment and high qualification of the personnel.
Such famous companies as Royal Dutch Shell, Eni, Chevron, LUKOIL and JSC NC KazMunayGas united their efforts to develop the oil&gas reserves of one of the largest field of the world. In addition to the work experience, relevant international standards, the Consortium provides the local personnel with unique opportunity to increase their qualification, to obtain the practical skills in the workplace, thereby, contributing to their career promotion, allowing to take increasingly responsible, and therefore, better paid positions. They can even reach the top-management level, which has 77 % of Kazakhstani personnel.
High standards of excellence for personnel of all levels are required, because the oilfield technologies are constantly evolving, the expensive equipment is being used, which can be assigned only to the skilled people. Besides, there is no absolutely safe fields. Only competent and well-trained personnel can minimize the risks, to observe strictly the environmental norms and safety requirements.
Learning and development process begins with the training of the younger generation. Since 2007, KPO effectively implements a training programme for the graduates of Kazakhstani universities for such majors as the production operations, mechanical and electrical engineering, automation, drilling and translation. Selection of candidates for training is ensured in several phases by the method of integrated testing and interviewing. Preference is given to those who set the ambitious targets, who have good basic knowledge and will for their constant improvement, adapting to the high requirements of the company.
Within ten years, KPO applies the OPITO international training programme. According to those who have passed the training courses, they have a dramatic differences from any other courses. The training format, its intensity, the demands of qualified instructors, consistently providing their materials in an accessible form, all of this is aimed at the high end result. But the trainees themselves need an outstanding diligence, attention and concentration.
Training the hundreds of young professionals, which now are successfully employed by the KPO units, while complying with all the safety standards. However, enhancement of training and professional development is an ongoing process. The local HR development strategy stipulates a multi-level training process that uses an international experience, own resources and the capacity of the prestigious and well-known universities. Aksai town, the administrative center of the field, has an operating training & development center, which provides its services not only for KPO employees, but also for a significant share of contracting companies. The training courses are conducted both at the training center and at the workplace.
It should be noted out that the center applies the modern technologies, like in other parts of KPO. They aim at achieving high professional results for all the specialties. At the same time, a mandatory safety training is provided for the trainees. Everyone shall know the safety requirements and strictly follow them. During the study process, the actions and methods of first aid shall be perfected in conditions of emergency situations. Permission to work is provided only upon these conditions.
Industrial operations at Karachaganak, including production, processing the raw materials to the state and conditions, needed for transportation, coordinated actions of support and customer service is a kind of mechanism that shall operate continuously and smoothly. The newest technologies also require strengthening someone’s knowledge. High efficiency of the training is a result of combining the recognized programs, courses and in the same time, the innovative tools for sharing the best practice.
Theory shall be supported by the practice. A virtual training system, allowing practicing the technological processes management in a 3D format, i.e. in almost real-life conditions, helps to strengthen the skills during the training. At the same time, the training includes day-to-day operations, and complex systems, up to start-up and stop of the equipment.
Mentoring is also used as a form of improving the qualification. Selecting the candidates for the transfer of knowledge and skills from the older generation to young professionals are being facilitated by the HR personnel training and development. The specificity of work, psychological compatibility, particularities of shift schedule and the credibility of the mentors are taken into account. Good results are achieved also in case of a collective form of skills transfer, when one specialist has multiple trainees at the same time. Since the number of local employees is constantly growing, there quite a lot of Kazakhstani mentors. The principle of «know it yourself-teach someone else» is in place. Besides, working in tandem with the young employees creates a good moral and psychological climate and business mood, which is important for any team.
Support is also being provided to the students of Kazakhstani universities, majoring in oil and gas. During the internship they compare the interests and ensure a simultaneous selection of applicants for provision of permanent employment. Both KPO and the contractors are willing to explore, as well as to improve the quality of knowledge of Kazakh language. English is a must for major part of the employees. It means that the principle of tri-lingualism is actually put into practice at the Karachaganak field.
The real school of excellence is the cooperation between KPO and the local suppliers of goods and services. They become more competitive raising the quality level, developing new, modern technology. Memorandum of Cooperation for the development of Kazakhstan’s industry was signed between PSA LLP, as a competent authority and KAZENERGY Association. A permanent cooperation was arranged with the regional Akimats.
Karachaganak is the largest employer in the region. KPO also assists the local companies in obtaining the ISO certificates for quality management in the area of occupational health and safety, environmental issues, API, ASME, and the project management. The applied personnel development strategy allows to successfully address the key business challenges and to create a talent pool, ensuring that the local staff takes more and more responsible positions.
It is estimated that more that 200 mln USD were invested to the training of the Kazakhstani experts since the signing of the Main Production Sharing Agreement. Nowadays, a new programme was approved to ensure an equivalent replacement of the foreign personnel with local employees, aimed at further successful implementation of Karachaganak project.