“The Movement Control Order (MCO) forced us to do things differently. Instead of requiring trainees to have face-to-face lessons in the lecture hall, we launched VILT (Virtual Instructor-Led Training) where instructors present the materials online. We kicked it off two weeks after the MCO was announced,” explained INSTEP chief executive officer Idris Ibrahim.

Having VILT also meant international trainees could carry on with their programmes. Halting programmes would have disrupted companies' plans while creating a backlog in training. In one swift move, INSTEP proved that it is a digitally-enabled training organisation aligned with PETRONAS' goals.

Since its establishment in 1981, INSTEP has undergone many changes while remaining resilient. Constantly innovating the learning design and delivery is nothing new to the technical learning solutions partner. In 2014, PETRONAS invested heavily in human capital development whereby the launch of Upstream Downstream Training Plant (UDTP) further accelerated competency development through experiential learning.

“UDTP replicates the scenario on an upstream platform as well as a production plant. This is where you can really practise, make mistakes and learn. When you are in a real plant, you have no chance to see what is inside the equipment until there is a plant shutdown or turnaround. Here, trainees are allowed to examine the cross section of the equipment and how it is being assembled. UDTP is one of its kind in the world, providing real plant scenario and experience for trainees. One of our unique value propositions is that we provide end-to-end value chain training in collaboration with other PETRONAS ‘live’ plants where trainees can witness the hive of activity and get a taste of the real action,” said Idris.

Anyone can conduct training. Not everyone can deliver graduates ready for the workforce and meet industry demands. The desire to deliver sustainable values to trainees is always the commitment of this learning institution. Apart from the calendared trainings, INSTEP also has customised programmes designed to meet the needs of customers. Thus far, INSTEP has successfully delivered more than 1,000 customised programmes to local and international companies from Gabon, Japan and many other countries.

New Energy, New Technology

PETRONAS has been venturing into renewable energy and speciality chemicals that can be sustained over the longer term, and INSTEP is thus challenged to move in the same direction. As PETRONAS' technical learning solutions partner, INSTEP supports PETRONAS’ growth strategy by exploring new energy offerings to upskill and future-proof talents.

Since the creation of the Gas and New Energy (GNE) business division in PETRONAS, the institute has been working with new energy such as solar. With a 200-acre campus, space is plentiful at INSTEP. Plans are under way to have the panels placed on INSTEP's rooftops as well as to have a solar farm within the compound, which is due to be completed by the end of this year. While reducing the institute's electricity bill, the solar panels also provide an opportunity for INSTEP to enhance its programmes by including new energy training.

"As most of our offerings are oil and gas related and new energy is a completely new field for INSTEP, research and feasibility studies on solar are currently being conducted to pave a solid pathway in establishing strong new energy module offerings with the required expertise and capabilities.

INSTEP works closely with PETRONAS' Project Delivery and Technology (PD&T) and Group Health, Safety, Security and Technology (GHSSE) to prepare staff. This is a priority because it is not only about repairing the tools and knowing how to make it work, but how to make sure it is safely functioning.

With process safety being a core focus of PETRONAS, plant frontliners must be equipped with the required technical competencies in driving PETRONAS’ self-regulation towards occupational safety and health excellence. In supporting PETRONAS’ aspiration, INSTEP stepped up to design the Internal Regulator Competency programme which was recognised by the Ministry of Human Resource under the Department of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia (DOSH) as the only training provider in preparing a competent yet self-regulating workforce for PETRONAS. “That means, they know what they do follows what is required. They can take care of the plant according to how it should be done,” said Idris.

He explained that trainees are not expected to just know how and when to turn valves. They also need to be agile and adaptable to using new instruments.

Apart from VILT, virtual and augmented reality, and simulators are part of INSTEP's learning solutions. They allow learners to perform exercises virtually in a safe environment before getting their hands on real equipment. With the introduction of new technologies, it is not always obvious which ones will still be around in three years. The INSTEP team may not always have their ear to the ground to know which technologies are trending. This is where collaboration is key. Realising that the people at the plant and subject matter experts within the organisation may know best the skill sets required, the INSTEP team fosters strong collaboration with them to reinvent learning methods using the latest industry and technology solutions. The solution packages will be rolled out in 2021.

 

Technology Testbed

INSTEP works closely with PETRONAS Research (PRSB) on trending technologies. Many times, the new technologies are tested in INSTEP before being applied to a real plant. Idris explained that this is one method to ensure the institute remains ahead of the game with new technologies.

INSTEP has been the testbed for PETRONAS' robotic applications on platforms. To know if it would work, the robots were first deployed at UDTP. Only when it was proven to be viable was it adopted on the platforms.

"As most of our offerings are oil and gas related and new energy is a completely new field for INSTEP, research and feasibility studies on solar are currently being conducted to pave a solid pathway in establishing strong new energy module offerings with the required expertise and capabilities.

The impending 5G technology has been tested at INSTEP for three months until the end of September. “By doing this we are supporting PETRONAS' agenda for technology. We have the facilities to test it, and in the future, 5G will be used at FLOW ISSUE 2 / 2020 HARNESSING PEOPLE POWER our plants. That is one way of keeping up with technology advancements,” explained Idris.

Small companies can become super innovative and their turnaround period is very short. The challenge then is pace. “If you're thinking of doing something and you take too long to think, you may lose out. Research is needed but either you're ahead of time or you need to quickly test the idea, make sure it's safe and do it. Don't wait until things are perfect because by then it might be too late,” he said.
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Human Capital

Many years ago, when PETRONAS wanted to build gas plants and petrochemical plants, it didn't have all the required talents. “So, we built and we trained our people. INSTEP was created for that. The real value of PETRONAS is the plant and the operating units (OPUs). Whenever the people are more competent, they will make fewer mistakes and they will take care of the plant superbly. Therefore, the plant will become more efficient.

'We invest in their training by providing the know-how and periphery requirements such as the mindset and HSE (health, safety and environment). We are like farmers; we plant the trees and nurture them. Let the fruits and flowers be enjoyed by the owner of the trees, which is the OPUs and the plants.

We get the satisfaction of seeing our trainees learn. This is aligned with our sense of purpose. The PETRONAS Statement of Purpose clearly states, 'A progressive energy and solutions partner enriching lives for a sustainable future'. We know why we do what we do, and we make sure whatever we do is aligned with PETRONAS' overall aspirations and long-term plans,” said Idris.

The ecosystem in PETRONAS is ideal for people development. Training is part and parcel of career development. Instead of waiting for staff to be sent for training, INSTEP is now taking the training to them.

​​​​​​​The INSTEP team has been engaging with the capability management units in PETRONAS to assess the talents’ gaps and offer customised programmes to close those gaps. With this customised package, the staff will be continuously upskilled to remain competent in delivering their responsibilities while upholding operational and safety excellence.

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Beyond Malaysian Shores

Training PETRONAS staff is the reason INSTEP exists. However, there is also a need for the institute to draw revenue from external parties in maintaining business sustainability. INSTEP has trained learners from over 35 countries, such as Japan, Senegal and Singapore. This trust and confidence from new, existing and returning customers has fuelled INSTEP to continuously elevate the quality of its learning solutions.

Besides gaining customers from the open market, PETRONAS also has international learners from the countries in which it operates as part of its commitment to develop the local workforce in these countries.

There are only two training centres in other countries; they were set up to deliver PETRONAS' promise to the host governments in Sudan (now South Sudan) and Turkmenistan.

 

Secret to Success

Striving for excellence is always the aim. No wonder INSTEP has a list of accolades over the years. Some recent awards are the Outstanding Pearson Learner Award for four consecutive years from 2016 till 2019; the Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety & Health Gold Class 1 Award in 2017 and 2018; and the Human Resources Development Awards 2017 in the data analytics category.

Idris believes these successes can be attributed to the differentiation of its programmes, customised training, as well as the PETRONAS ecosystem which allows training to flourish.

“Our end-to-end training also has the support of our sister companies. It's not all INSTEP; it is the PETRONAS Group. We may have different logos because of legal requirements, but we work as a single united team.
 

At the end of the day, INSTEP is about people. Idris applauded his team for their commitment to developing and teaching others. “Not everybody can do it. You may be the smartest guy in town or the best engineer but you may not have the patience to develop others. It takes great passion to do this. That's why I'm very proud of my people,” said Idris.

​​​​​​​He asserts that INSTEP will continue evolving to remain relevant in the face of energy transition.