Balikpapan – Zone 8 of Subholding Upstream Regional Kalimantan held professional placement program for students from universities in East Kalimantan Region, called Cooperative Education Program (COOP). COOP is an effort from Zone 8 to improve the quality of human resources in East Kalimantan (Kaltim) Province, and the program is supported by SKK Migas Kalsul.  

COOP program has been implemented since 2003 and now is in its 32nd generation. The latest generation of COOP students began the program on 05 July 2021, involving 11 students.  They were selected from 152 university students who had registered for the program. The candidates had passed a selection process which included administrative requirements, psychological test, English test, and interview. The candidates came from Mulawarman University, Kalimantan Institute of Technology, and STT Migas Balikpapan. They were placed in professional capacity in several functions in Zone 8 to learn, get experience, and improve their competencies as local human resources. 

The General Manager of Zone 8 Agus Amperianto explained that COOP is one of social and environmental responsibility programs in Zone 8, focusing on education as company’s commitment to develop human resources in East Kalimantan. “This program aims to support Kaltim Regional Government in developing human resources’ character. It is hoped that, through this program, all participants get experiences and added values to equip themselves with when they enter the professional world,” said Agus.

In line with that, Senior Manager of Human Capital in Regional 3 Muhammad Sodiqin added that COOP is also one of Human Capital (HC) Function’s programs for surrounding areas, in which students who have obtained basic knowledge from their universities can directly implement that knowledge in real professional environment. “This year’s COOP is carried out via virtual method in light of COVID-19 pandemic. We are glad to welcome the participants and we hope that they will get direct experiences in professional world in the next 6 months, which will positively contribute to their self-improvement,” said Muhammad Sodiqin.