Over 170 Solomon Islanders were awarded for successfully completing their studies in 18 vocational programs at the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) graduation ceremony in Honiara on 21 November 2018.
As Australia’s major Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) investment in the Pacific region, APTC has trained more than 13,000 Pacific Islands citizens, including over 1500 Solomon Islanders.
The students graduated with certificates in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration, Applied Fashion Design and Technology, Business, Carpentry, Commercial Cookery, Electrotechnology Electrician, Fabrication Trade, Diesel Fitting, Hospitality, Individual Support, Leadership and Management, Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology, Painting and Decorating, Plumbing, Tourism, Youth Work and Team Leader Skillset.
Congratulating the new graduates, Deputy Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Honourable Manasseh Sogavare encouraged them to use the skills they learned at APTC to help contribute to their workplaces, communities and country.
He commended the 89 women awarded during the ceremony, who now join over 600 Solomon Islands women to have studied with APTC.
The ceremony included 33 women who graduated from the innovative Team Leader Skillset program, which was delivered for the first time by APTC, to develop the capacity of women in leadership positions from different organisations across Solomon Islands.
The skillset, delivered in Honiara, Auki and Gizo, focused on develoing effective communication skills, managing a team, building effective workplace relationships, and managing operational plans.
Hon. Sogavare emphasised that TVET is a priority area for the Solomon Islands Government, and acknowledged APTC’s partnership with national providers like Don Bosco Technical Institute and Solomon Islands National University, in helping improve the skills base of vocational workers in Solomon Islands.
He also took the opportunity to thank the Australian Government for enabling Pacific Island citizens to obtain Australian-standard skills and qualifications to contribute to their communities and countries through APTC.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency, Roderick Brazier also congratulated the new graduates.
“I would like to commend you all on your hard work and dedication. You have gained an international standard qualification, and this is a great achievement.”
APTC provides Pacific Island citizens with Australian skills and qualifications for a wide range of vocational careers. It delivers training from its country locations in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.