Jakarta. State-run oil company Pertamina has partnered with the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) to prepare future engineers.

The collaboration takes the form of the professional engineer study program (PSPPI). This year, Pertamina has enrolled 419 Pertamina employees from various business entities to create world-class engineers that are ready to face the transformation of the energy industry.

PSPPI aims to develop the technical competence, leadership, and professionalism of officers, while strengthening the operational excellence of Pertamina's existing businesses. This will also encourage innovations, including those related to energy transition.

According to Pertamina President Director Simon Aloysius Mantiri, the company is home to engineers who have built the foundation of Indonesia's energy security for over six decades. Human capital development is also a key strategy for the company in facing digital transformation and energy transition.

"Through Pertamina's synergy with ITB, we are preparing engineers who are technically superior, possess strong analytical skills, professional ethics, and the ability to adapt to change," Simon was quoted as saying in a press statement.

Pertamina Human Resources Director Andy Arvianto called the program as a long-term investment.

"We want to ensure that every individual in the company has broad access to capacity building to remain relevant, professional, and able to meet evolving business needs. The support and collaboration with PSPPI ITB is a crucial part of Pertamina's human resource development strategy," Andy said.

ITB Rector Tatacipta Dirgantara said that the program was a concrete step towards creating superior human capital in the energy sector.

"This program not only fulfills the mandate of Law Number 11 of 2014 on Engineering, but also ensures that Indonesian engineers possess world-class technical competence, global insight, strong character, and uphold professional ethics and national identity," Tatacipta said.

The Pertamina-ITB engineering professional partnership kicked off on Jan. 8, and will last until next year or two academic semesters.

Pertamina pledges to support Indonesia's goal of reaching net zero emission by 2060 while also promoting programs with a direct impact on sustainable development goals (SDGs). This aligns with Pertamina's transformation that is oriented towards governance, public services, business sustainability and the environment. The company also vows to implement environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles across its operations in line with the sovereign fund Danantara.