A total of 129 students graduated from the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) with qualifications in 14 specialised technical and vocational programs after a graduation ceremony at the Australian Aid Lecture Theatre, University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Campus in Suva on 10 April 2015.
APTC is a development initiative funded by the Australian Government to deliver training and to increase the supply of skilled workers in targeted sectors in the Pacific region. APTC has campuses in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
Students graduated from programs in Allied Health Assistance/Health Services, Commercial Cookery, Diesel Fitting, Disability, Early Childhood Education and Care, Fabrication, Fitting and Machining, Hospitality, Painting and Decorating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Tourism, Training and Assessment and Youth Work.
Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, Margaret Twomey acknowledged contributions of trainees’ families and friends, as well as government and industry stakeholders in APTC’s efforts to produce “work-ready” graduates. She encouraged graduates to direct their skills back into their communities.
“It is our hope that when you leave here today, you will utilise to the maximum the skills and knowledge that you have acquired. Seize opportunities that come your way, so that you can create positive changes in your life, in the welfare of your families and enrich your community and your country,” Ms Twomey said.
APTC Chief Executive Officer, Denise O’Brien hosted over 350 invited guests who joined family, friends, staff and alumni of APTC to celebrate the graduates’ successful completion of their programs.
The event marked a number of key highlights which included:
• Out of the total number of graduates, 128 are Fijian citizens and there is one graduate from Nauru.
• 11 out of 14 of the qualifications were delivered through programs in Fiji. Other graduates would have completed studies at APTC campuses in either Samoa or Vanuatu.
• Graduates of the Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance/Health Services are the first Fijian citizens to graduate from this program, which was delivered in Samoa.
• Two female graduates attained a Trade Qualification in Certificate III in Painting and Decorating.
• This marks the second graduation at USP’s Laucala Campus since the APTC-USP Partnership began in October 2014. Through the Pacific Fusion training restaurant, the APTC-USP partnership delivers international-standard hospitality training for existing workers and new entrants in Fiji and the region.
APTC has had 2,101 Fiji graduates to date (not including those that graduated on 10 April), out of which 844 graduates were women.