PETRONAS Lubricants Italy launches PETRONAS Academy: on the lookout for sales talent.

  • The first training program kicks off on October 6 to onboard new sales professionals into PETRONAS’ Italian distributor network
  • Talents will be selected nationwide and, after completing a 110-hour, 4-week training alongside Automotive Aftermarket professionals, will have the opportunity to join the PETRONAS distribution network
  • The search is aimed at young candidates with strong sales aptitude and commercial drive. The project has a national scope, with high interest coming from Central-Southern and North-Eastern Italy

A groundbreaking initiative is launching thanks to PETRONAS Lubricants Italy, which, in collaboration with top-tier partners such as employment agency Synergie Italia, Unit Plus – specialized in strategic consulting for the aftermarket – and Techné Consulting, is introducing PETRONAS Academy.

For the first time, industry-leading companies are joining forces to strengthen the sales network through the development of professionals capable of meeting the needs of distributors and attracting highly motivated candidates, even with minimal experience but strong potential.

The program is fully funded and tailored to the participants, made possible also thanks to the valuable contribution of the PETRONAS distributor network. The 4-week course consists of 110 hours of pre-employment technical and commercial training. It focuses on sales techniques, customer relationship management, in-depth knowledge of PETRONAS products, hands-on workshops, simulations, and shadowing experiences with sector professionals – all culminating in a final certification.

PETRONAS Academy is aimed at high school graduates with a strong inclination toward sales and commercial relations, solid communication and negotiation skills, as well as organizational and time management abilities. Previous experience in sales or customer care is appreciated but not mandatory. An interest in the automotive or lubricants sector is considered a strong asset.

At the end of the course, suitable candidates will be offered a fixed-term employment contract and a structured growth plan leading to permanent employment within the PETRONAS distributor network. Job placement will be based on the candidate’s regional availability. While the initiative is nationwide, the areas of greatest interest include Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Marche, Calabria, Basilicata, Apulia, Sicily, Friuli, and Veneto.

“We’re responding to the crisis in the automotive sector by investing in training. We want to do something inspiring and innovative in an industry constantly seeking skilled professionals. With PETRONAS Academy, we’re offering a concrete solution to the growing demand for qualified commercial personnel – a need voiced to us by our partners – and positioning ourselves to meet the expectations of both the market and our distributor network,” said Giuseppe Pedretti, Regional Managing Director EMEA of PETRONAS Lubricants International.

Bruno Carbone, CEO of Unit Plus, added: “We’re excited to be an integral part of the PETRONAS Academy. Our expertise in aftermarket business strategy and training allows us to contribute to a development program that is not just theoretical but firmly rooted in the real-world needs of the market. Through this immersive formula, we believe these new talents will become key assets for the PETRONAS network and the entire industry.”

The program will kick off in Turin on Monday, October 6. The first week of training will take place at the PETRONAS site in Santena, in the province of Turin. In addition to the training, participants will visit the company’s R&D labs, and the PETRONAS Heritage Highlights corporate museum.

The second week will move to Latina, hosted by partner Unit Plus at its Automotive Innovation Center, with a focus on technical training and soft skills (sales techniques, time management, public speaking, communication, and social media). Fieldwork with distributors will follow, with shadowing opportunities for aspiring sales reps. At the conclusion of PETRONAS Academy, participants will undergo a final evaluation and awards ceremony, and top performers will be offered a role in the PETRONAS network.

Several recruitment channels are already active. Instagram and YouTube will be used to document the experience through short videos and interviews, giving voice to the participants. An informational flyer with a QR code for applications has already been distributed across the network. The dedicated website can be accessed at this link>>.

 

Santena (Turin), July 29, 2025

Press Office– PETRONAS Lubricants Italy