PNG workers and community members at a golden-hour gathering representing local participation

Our People

Local Participation

Empowering PNG communities through employment, training, and sustainable economic development

Our Commitment

At TPEL, local participation is not just a policy - it is fundamental to who we are and why we exist. As Papua New Guinea's national petroleum company, our primary purpose is to ensure that petroleum development delivers maximum benefits to Papua New Guinean people through employment, business opportunities, skills development, and community prosperity.

Our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework integrates local participation with environmental stewardship, community development, and responsible resource management, ensuring that petroleum development creates lasting positive impacts for our nation.

Local Participation Pillars

Employment Generation

Creating meaningful employment opportunities for Papua New Guineans across all levels of our operations.

  • • Priority hiring of PNG nationals
  • • Landowner employment programs
  • • Career progression pathways
  • • Competitive wages and benefits

Skills Development

Building local capacity through training, education, and technology transfer programs.

  • • Technical training programs
  • • Scholarship opportunities
  • • On-the-job skill development
  • • Leadership development

Business Development

Creating opportunities for PNG businesses to participate in the petroleum supply chain.

  • • Local procurement preferences
  • • Supplier development programs
  • • Joint venture opportunities
  • • Entrepreneurship support

Employment Strategy

National Employment Targets

TPEL is committed to maximizing Papua New Guinean employment across all phases of petroleum development, with specific targets for national and landowner participation.

80%+

Target PNG national workforce

30%+

Target landowner employment

Career Development

We provide clear career pathways and professional development opportunities to help Papua New Guineans advance from entry-level positions to senior technical and leadership roles.

  • Graduate and apprenticeship programs for early career professionals
  • Technical certifications and professional qualifications support
  • Leadership and management development programs
  • International exposure and knowledge transfer opportunities

Landowner Participation

Special programs ensure that communities on whose land petroleum operations occur receive priority employment opportunities and business development support, creating direct benefits for those most affected by our activities.

ESG Framework

Environmental

Responsible environmental stewardship and sustainable resource management.

  • • Environmental impact assessments
  • • Emissions reduction strategies
  • • Water management & protection
  • • Biodiversity conservation
  • • Waste management systems
  • • Rehabilitation & restoration

Social

Community development, stakeholder engagement, and social responsibility.

  • • Community consultation & consent
  • • Local employment & training
  • • Infrastructure development
  • • Health & education programs
  • • Cultural heritage protection
  • • Grievance mechanisms

Governance

Transparent, accountable, and ethical business practices.

  • • Board oversight & accountability
  • • Risk management systems
  • • Anti-corruption policies
  • • Regulatory compliance
  • • Stakeholder reporting
  • • Ethical conduct standards

Community Investment

TPEL is committed to delivering tangible benefits to communities through infrastructure development, social programs, and economic opportunities that improve quality of life and create lasting prosperity.

Infrastructure Delivery

  • • Roads and bridges
  • • Power supply systems
  • • Water and sanitation
  • • Telecommunications
  • • Community facilities

Social Programs

  • • Education support
  • • Healthcare services
  • • Skills training
  • • Small business development
  • • Cultural preservation

Stakeholder Engagement

We believe in meaningful, ongoing engagement with all stakeholders affected by our operations. Our approach is based on transparency, respect, and genuine partnership.

Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)

Ensuring communities have full information and genuine opportunity to participate in decisions affecting their land and resources.

Regular Consultation

Ongoing dialogue with landowners, communities, and stakeholders throughout project lifecycles.

Grievance Mechanisms

Accessible, fair, and transparent processes for addressing concerns and resolving disputes.

Benefit Sharing

Fair and equitable distribution of benefits from petroleum development to affected communities.

Partnering to Add Value

For the people, by the people - join us in developing PNG's petroleum sector responsibly