Students Interns and ​​On-Job-Training (OJT) for Technical Students

Engineering Interns in Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering.

Final-year students at the University of Technology majoring in Engineering, who are interested in pursuing their industrial internship training with ATCDI, are cordially invited to reach out to us. However, ATCDI can only accommodate a maximum of four students at a time. In 2023 four final-year Civil Engineering students had the opportunity to complete their industrial internships with the Water and Sanitation Program with ATCDI.

Four dedicated final-year Civil Engineering students Mary Nou (left), Joshiah Bigilam (2nd from left), Shane Malai, Davelyn Katu (2nd from right), and Hudson Bai (right), with fellow civil engineering student Shane Malai on one of their numerous trips during their Water and Sanitation industrial internship. This photo was taken at Nawaeb Secondary School in the Nawaeb LLG, Nawaeb District, Morobe Province, where they were actively involved in the 'Rescoping Hobu Water Supply System' project in early 2023.

Technical Vocational Students.

ATCDI is excited to announce a new collaboration with vocational training institutes in Lae, enabling us to facilitate On-Job-Training (OJT) for students. This opportunity extends beyond our local area, and we extend a warm welcome to students from provinces across the country. The duration of the OJT engagement is designed to meet the specific requirements of each vocational institute. Institutes interested in this unique opportunity should inquire and apply through the Human Resources (HR) department of UNITECH.

Training at ATCDI is a comprehensive experience, encompassing participation in community development projects related to water supply, hands-on workshop fabrication, administrative assistance, and information publication and dissemination.

We take pride in embracing diversity and actively encourage both male and female trainees in all roles. To date, ATCDI has supported over 20 trainees in meeting their OJT requirements, providing them with the invaluable opportunity to acquire additional knowledge and hands-on experience with relevant technologies. We firmly believe that each trainee serves as an ambassador for their own community, and the skills and knowledge gained here will continue to ripple through our OJT alumni network.

What's more, some of our dedicated trainees return as volunteers, further contributing to ATCDI in various capacities, including their invaluable support in fabrication works. We invite you to join us on this enriching journey of skill development, community engagement, and personal growth. Together, we can make a positive impact and shape a brighter future for both individuals and communities.

Background approach to our work.

Our work here at ATCDI centers around basic workshop practices and hands-on experiences, reflecting our commitment to simple and appropriate technology. We encourage our trainees to apply the skills they acquire during their time with us to seek income-generating opportunities or to drive positive change within their communities.

The dedicated student volunteers and interns play a pivotal role in the development and execution of ATCDI projects. Through a range of hands-on activities, they gain practical insights that complement their formal education and vocational training. Our focus revolves around workshop applications involving tools and materials such as concrete, steel, and wood, among others.

For instance, our 2021 mechanical engineering interns undertook research and development for the ram pump, with subsequent implementation and refinement carried out by another group of interns in 2022. Vocational students injected fresh ideas and energy into the ram pump pilot project in Gobadik, showcasing a spirit of continuous collaboration among all our volunteers.

Our ultimate objective is to construct a standardized ram pump model that can be locally fabricated, easy to operate and maintain, and, most importantly, built to endure.

Various essential contributions have stemmed from our interns, including the creation of charcoal stoves, charcoal production, and the conceptualization and pilot testing of the rope and washer system. Additionally, our ram pump test rig was developed by the 2022 batch of mechanical engineering interns.

Part of our educational mission involves instilling a sense of responsibility for the environment. We teach our interns to place value on reusing materials, thereby reducing waste and energy consumption. Moreover, we emphasize versatility in technical skills, enabling individuals to broaden their capabilities beyond their formal training. For instance, a plumber in our program should also be proficient in welding and possess fundamental skills to thrive in diverse fields. Safety remains a paramount concern in all our endeavors.

We hold a sincere hope that our approach to imparting these skills empowers our volunteers, enabling them to become valuable contributors to their communities and society as a whole.

Training at ATCDI is a holistic experience, encompassing participation in community development projects related to water supply, hands-on workshop fabrication, administrative assistance, and information publication and dissemination.

The photos below capture a poignant moment as ATCDI staff bid farewell to two accomplished female administrative student trainees. Their departure marks the culmination of a rewarding three-week On-the-Job training experience.

In light of this expansion, we are pleased to introduce our annual intake quotas:

10 x Technical Vocational Students
2 x Administrative Trainees
4 x Engineering Interns in Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering


*Note that these quotas may vary depending on program demands.

Institutes interested in this unique opportunity should inquire and apply through the Human Resources (HR) department of UNITECH.