A group of emerging leaders from the Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands were trained by the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC).
A total of 11 Solomon Islanders proudly received Certificate IV in Leadership and Management during a graduation ceremony in Auki on 8 March 2018.
APTC is a flagship program of the Australian Government that provides Australian-standard skills and qualifications across a wide range of vocational careers for skilled workers across the Pacific.
Since 2007, APTC has trained over 12,000 graduates, including more than 1390 Solomon Island nationals. Of this, over 130 have undertaken Leadership and Management training, with 84 being women.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Premier of Malaita Province Honourable Peter Chanel Ramohia congratulated the new graduates and expressed his delight at seeing more people from Malaita taking on the challenge to upskill themselves.
He encouraged them to apply what they have learned in helping to contribute to Malaita’s growth and development.
He also commended the 10 women graduates, and added that the program is a good example of the Australian and Solomon Islands governments working together to support rural provincial development.
“I strongly believe that the program will provide my people with the right leadership skills so they can help drive positive development in our province. Today’s graduation is a positive result for rural women in Malaita,” he said.
Ms Alexandra Little, Second Secretary Political at the Australian High Commission, also commended the women on their achievement. She said that the Australian Government was extremely proud to have supported the delivery of these courses for women.
The graduating students undertook the program in semester 2 of 2017; this was the first time the program had been delivered in the Malaita Province.
Two students from APTC’s Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care program were also awarded during the ceremony.
Apart from Auki, APTC held a graduation ceremony in Honiara and there will be one in Gizo. More than 130 Solomon Islanders graduated from these three ceremonies.