With few opportunities for formal training in electrical trades in Papua New Guinea, those working in the sector are often self-taught and learning on the job. The Archdiocese of Mount Hagen has had a significant influence on building the industrial and economic capacity in Papua New Guinea's important highland hub. It coordinates projects across education, health, agriculture and pastoral infrastructure. The Archdiocese has identified a need to develop:
Reliable energy infrastructure to help businesses and families generate income; A professional and safe electrical maintenance team; Training of young people to provide them with increased employment opportunities; Increasing electrical contractors' awareness of environmentally sustainable procedures. A qualified and experienced electrician will assist the Archdiocese in providing these outcomes for the community of Mount Hagen. The successful candidate will work with local apprentices and other trades volunteers for 1-2 years.
The Location Mt Hagen is Papua New Guinea's third largest city, and is home to around 610,000 people. The city has recently experienced rapid urban growth and continues to attract people from the surrounding rural area seeking employment and other opportunities. Typical of this growth is the various accompanying social issues and the challenges of maintaining infrastructure such as housing, water supply, energy and sanitation, which are essential for the community's wellbeing.
The Archdiocese's provision of health, education and other services for the Mt Hagen community fills a need where government supply is inadequate or non-existent. Assisting the Archdiocese to maintain community infrastructure through the exchange of skills, which increases local employment opportunities, perfectly fits Palms Australia's model of sustainable development.
Volunteers living in Mt Hagen should be prepared to work with limited resources. Caution should be exercised at night and volunteers in Papua New Guinea must be alert of their safety when walking alone or in a group with other foreigners.
Note: For most assignments, accommodation is provided by the partner organisation. This accommodation has been assessed and approved by Palms Australia as being secure and has adequate utilities.
The Challenge With few opportunities for formal training in trades in Papua New Guinea, those working in the sector are often self-taught and learning on the job. This leaves tradespeople in the country with varied skills and knowledge of safe, effective, and sustainable electrical systems.
PNG Power is committed to extending and expanding its rural distribution network throughout the country to provide electricity to the people of Papua New Guinea. With increased access to electricity it is likely that more skilled electricians will be needed to install and provide maintenance for new and existing electrical systems.
About You The Archdiocese of Mount Hagen has requested a suitably qualified and experienced electrician. The successful candidate must demonstrate:
Experience and up to date licenses in electrical trades, preferably with experience supervising apprentices Awareness of the challenges in household electrical needs in remote communities Adaptability and flexibility Cultural sensitivity and openness to working within a different cultural context Willingness to engage their Australian community in promoting the work of the host organisation and their role Willingness to work in Mount Hagen for a minimum of 12 months, with limited resources and facilities. Prior experience in a remote community is not essential but will be an asset.
How You Will Help First you must be willing to learn from the local community.
Over the first six months you are asked not to change anything or suggest a change to operations. During that six months you will take the time to learn language and cultural mores from a local counterpart willing to mentor you. You will also start a register of the strengths of the current personnel and the assets in the community/country that might be used to achieve the goals of the assignment.
You need to commit to clarifying why things are done the way they are rather than presuming from your own cultural lens to outline what is missing. So, you need to ask questions to enable you to learn from your hosts, rather than in ignorance make suggestions about how things can improve. Palms training will prepare you for this approach.
In the second six months you will be ready and better know which of your skills and what of your knowledge applies to:
develop reliable energy infrastructure to help businesses and families generate income; developing a professional and safe construction and maintenance team; Training of young people to provide them with increased employment opportunities; Increasing contractors' awareness of environmentally sustainable procedures. It is expected that at the conclusion of your assignment, the training role will be able to be conducted by a local you have supported.
Note: The monthly living allowance enables you to live a modest local lifestyle. Based on the cost of living in a particular country, it covers food, your daily commute, communication and other local costs. It is not set to enable you to meet financial commitments at home, such as a mortgage or a personal loan. It will not cover the costs of eating out and other entertainment. Read more about what is covered in our FAQ . All applicants will be required to complete a Working with Children and Police Check.
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