New GRAP Tristar Terminals partnership looks to expand apprenticeship opportunities

Tristar Terminals Guam, the island’s largest bulk fuel storage facility and a critical partner in Guam’s energy and defense infrastructure, is now a business partner under the Guam Registered Apprenticeship Program. 

As a new GRAP sponsor, Tristar is leveraging the program to strengthen its workforce development and expand apprenticeship opportunities across the company in the coming years.

“We are very excited to partner with Tristar and hear about the success of GRAP early on within the company,” said Guam Department of Labor Director David Dell’Isola. “We have always wanted to expand GRAP into new industries such as petroleum and this is a massive first step as Tristar is the largest fuel storage facility on the island. We look forward to developing this partnership, growing more apprenticeship opportunities for local residents, and using Tristar’s expertise to help set the standards for apprenticeship in Guam’s energy sector for years to come.”

Tristar now partners with GDOL to provide structured, paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction for their employees in conjunction with GCA Trades Academy across multiple skilled trades. 

With renewed leadership and stronger program design, the company successfully relaunched the program.

“We’ve been sold on the value of apprenticeship,” said John Aflleje, Tristar Terminal Manager. “Becoming a GRAP sponsor gives us the framework and support to grow our own workforce on the island, using our highly skilled journey workers to pass on decades of experience to the next generation.”

Tristar currently has four apprentices enrolled in GRAP, including welders, electricians, and heavy equipment operators. 

The company plans to expand apprenticeship opportunities to additional operations and office-based roles such as accounting, administrative support, and HR.

“We are a team of about 40 employees but our responsibility to Guam is enormous,” said Milton Panakal, Tristar Deputy Terminal Manager. “With GRAP, we can finally align the trades we have here with the apprenticeship standards, and it’s not just for welders, electricians, and mechanics. We’re able to expand to administrative roles which allows us to encourage more of our staff to participate. The program is very efficient and very well received by our corporate headquarters. The ease and support from the GRAP office gives us a practical way to develop and reward our employees while keeping those skills here on island.”