Global integrated logistics and materials management company, ASCO, has welcomed two new local team members to its Suriname operations - demonstrating the company's commitment to local content and creating equal opportunities.
The two new recruits to the ASCO team in Suriname are Arthus Adjako, and Rafaella Raafenburg, who have joined as Quayside and Materials Trainees. In the first stage of their employment, they travelled to ASCO's established supply base in Trinidad, where they shadowed ASCO personnel and undertook training in all areas of operations, gaining knowledge across quayside, logistics, warehousing and pipeyard services.
While in Trinidad, they joined in the company celebrations of International Women's Day, which was especially poignant for Rafaella as she begins a career in a typically male-dominated role. They have since returned to Suriname to work with ASCO on the Kuldipsingh Base supporting TotalEnergies' operations where Arthus will focus on materials and Rafaella will assist the Jetty Chargehand.
In 2022, ASCO signed an agreement with Kuldipsingh Port in Paramaribo, the Surinamese capital, to provide technical expertise for its supply base operations, playing a major role in Suriname’s energy industry.
The agreement sees the Aberdeen-headquartered company support new oil and gas developments in offshore block 58 and collaborate with local businesses to encourage regional investment and key recruitment opportunities for local people.
Deborah Benjamin, Managing Director for ASCO in Trinidad said: "In burgeoning oil and gas provinces like Suriname, building strong and sustainable economic growth requires more than a focus on local content or ownership; rather it should ensure that the skills and capability of the local workforce is developed at pace to meet the standards and requirements of international offshore oil and gas operators.
"ASCO has developed a unique model for developing local capability, with a focus on enhancing the skills and opportunities for local personnel through training, mentoring and on-the-job experience. This approach to localising the workforce benefits the individual, the end customer and the industry by building a legacy of trained personnel with competence that meets or exceeds international standards for the long-term."
Find out more about our operations in Suriname here.