Basque Hydrogen has held the closing ceremony for the plant operator training program launched last June. Throughout the morning, the Deputy President, Mikel Torres; the director of the Somorrostro Training Center, Javier Laiseca; the director of Basque Hydrogen, Iñigo Fernandez; and the director of employment and training at Lanbide, Arantxa Niño; presented diplomas to the students who passed the course.
The 900-hour continuous training course had 23 students, 91% of whom passed. It was structured in two distinct phases: first, a theoretical training phase taught jointly by the Somorrostro Training Center in the EIC classroom. Secondly, a phase of general practical training at Petronor focused on routine operations in the different units of the refinery, and specific practical training in units similar to those that will be operated at the decarbonization hub in the Port of Bilbao. The latter was one of the experiences most valued by the students. This training, which has included an internship grant from the outset, has always been accompanied by the corresponding operator on each shift.
All students who have successfully completed the training program have been hired, totaling 21 people: two area managers, three control operators, eight regular operators, and eight temporary operators.
This initiative is in line with the Indartu call for proposals for the economic development of the left bank of the Bilbao Estuary, as well as the collaboration established through an agreement between the Somorrostro Training Center and Petronor, together with the flexibility provided by Lanbide to make this training format possible.