How SIPEF is empowering young people to shape their future — and the future of our industry
Investing in the learning and development of young people — as well as employees at every stage of their careers — is an important part of SIPEF’s commitment to creating opportunities that can contribute to stronger individuals, families, and communities.
Across our operations, we support a range of paid training, skills development, and career development opportunities designed to help local youth build practical skills, gain experience, and shape their own futures. These initiatives take different forms depending on the needs and opportunities in each location — from technical apprenticeships and vocational training to financial literacy, community initiatives, and pathways into employment or entrepreneurship.
Together, these programmes reflect a shared ambition: to equip young people with the skills, experience, and confidence they need to pursue new opportunities and contribute to the future of their communities.
Turning skills into opportunity in Papua New Guinea
At Hargy Oil Palms, youth development takes many forms, including technical apprenticeships and vocational training for employees, as well as wider support for community youth groups beyond SIPEF’s own operations. For the young people involved, these initiatives often provide more than new skills; they can create a pathway towards greater independence, employment, and participation in their communities.
Hargy Oil Palms also supports youth groups surrounding its operations to formally register as associations, enabling them to open corporate bank accounts and take on contract work. Today, 21 local youth groups benefit from this support.
Genesis Nake is an engineering cadet at the Barema palm oil mill. He says his cadetship with Hargy Oil Palms has changed the way he sees things.
“Everything I learnt at university feels almost like a third vision — allowing me to look at a machine, system, or operation and understand the principles and processes working behind it. Seeing that knowledge come alive in practice has been one of the most rewarding parts of engineering for me. Being part of this programme has given me a career that still feels like being the curious kid in science class, fascinated by how things work. That curiosity now comes with a privilege and responsibility: being close to the front lines of Hargy Oil Palms’ operation where the knowledge, decisions, and effort I contribute can make a real difference. I sincerely thank Hargy Oil Palms for this opportunity, and everyone at Barema palm oil mill who has been instrumental in my training. I’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the best people in the business, all of whom have been generous with their knowledge and willing to teach, challenge, and guide me. Much of the engineer I am becoming is a reflection of what I have learned from them.”
His advice to his peers? “Don’t focus too much on someone else’s timeline, you'll forget to make the best out of yours.”
Laura Kira, is a small and medium-size enterprise (SME) apprentice in the Bialla region and joined the financial literacy training course run by Hargy Oil Palms and the East Nakanai Rural Local-Level Government (RLLG) to prepare for her business ownership. “What I found most valuable about the financial literacy training run by the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) … was understanding how you have to be very cautious when it comes to spending, especially when you want to start up your own SME or even if you’re trying to save. As a young upcoming SME owner, I have been able to use some of the tools that this training has equipped me with, like expense and resource allocation and how to manage my finances.”
Summerville Lamboku, chairperson of the Bialla Urban Youth Co-operative Society, one of the wider community groups supported by Hargy Oil Palms, shares how he benefited from the training. “What I found most valuable about the financial literacy training run by the CEFI trainer … was the practical knowledge on budgeting, saving, managing money, and making better financial decisions that I can apply to my personal life and future business.”
Hargy Oil Palms also partners with the East New Britain Savings and Loan Society (ENBSL) to offer financial literacy training to youths in the Sulu region. The training helps them access banking services and broadens their understanding of savings and budgeting, inspiring them to save money for tough times, especially emergencies.
Creating a more inclusive workforce in Indonesia
In Indonesia, Tolan Tiga Indonesia supports young graduates through cadet programmes designed to prepare them for future middle-management roles across our palm oil operations. Combining practical experience with professional development, the programmes give participants the opportunity to build the skills and knowledge needed to progress their careers within the industry.
In 2025, 53 new cadets joined the programme in Indonesia, 40% of whom were women. We continue to encourage more young women to apply, helping to create a more diverse and inclusive pipeline of future leaders across our operations.
Nidya Putri Zulia Kusuma Wardani, field assistant trainee, Mukomuko estate, Bengkulu says “Having a female mentor in the palm oil industry showed me that leadership is not defined by gender, but by integrity, capability, and the willingness to keep learning. This experience inspires me to grow and one day become a leader who makes a positive impact."
For many young graduates, the cadet programme provides an important opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the palm oil industry and discover where their skills can take them.
Muhammad Rayhansyah, mill assistant trainee, Dendy Marker Indah Lestari mill, South Sumatra says “The programme strengthened my technical and problem-solving skills while teaching me how to communicate and work effectively with people across all levels. It also taught me empathy, helping me become a more humble and patient leader.”
Proving that these programmes support successful career progression is Ayu Karmila, mill manager at Bukit Maradja oil mill, who joined Tolan Tiga Indonesia as a management trainee in 2015. Today, she leads mill operations at Bukit Maradja palm oil mill, North Sumatra Region — a journey that reflects how learning, experience, and dedication can grow into leadership.
Mentoring and skills development in Côte d'Ivoire
In Côte d'Ivoire, Plantations J. Eglin offers mentoring and skills development to support the integration, development, and retention of young employees. This includes opportunities for trainees to learn on the job alongside experienced team members. Plans are in place to establish a dedicated training centre and team to provide programmes that support employee integration and continuous learning around specialist skills across our banana operations.
In addition, Plantations J. Eglin will soon sign a ‘Youth Employment and Skills Development Project’ agreement with the Ministry of Youth Promotion, Professional Integration and Civic Service, to help provide apprenticeship training for 150 young people. The project aims to strengthen employability and support the professional integration of youth through skills development tailored to the needs of the tropical fruit sector.
Together, these initiatives will create new opportunities for young people and contribute to a more skilled, versatile, and sustainable workforce.