On-the-job training is valuable to build workers’ skills and knowledge in order to enhance career pathways. This is equally important for training institutions in ensuring that their training meets the needs of the workplace and industry.
The Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) and the Anglican Church of Melanesia Vocational Education and Training Schools (ACOMVETS) marked a milestone in their partnership through professional attachments for ACOMVETS trainers with APTC.
The first beneficiary of the professional attachment is Yankie Hinge, an experienced carpentry trainer from ACOMVETS Lorevuilko Rural Training Centre (RTC).Yankie graduated from APTC Certificate III in carpentry in 2016 and since has been delivering the Vanuatu Qualifications Authority (VQA) Certificate I in Carpentry to students in the central and northern islands. Yankie’s professional attachment as the vocational training assistant includes mentoring by carpentry trainer Baker Bruce and applied learning in training quality and compliance.
“I am excited to be part of this dynamic team and learn more about the training delivery methods and assessment processes,” Yankie said.
This attachment will assist him in upgrading his training methods when he returns to Lorevuilko RTC.
Baker noted the trickle-down effect this work placement will have in delivering standard training to young people in Vanuatu.
“As a national trainer myself, it feels great to share this knowledge and skills with another trainer so he can take it back to his students,” he said.
ACOMVETS’ Chief Executive Officer, Father Willie Ben Tabi, was glad to see this partnership progress and acknowledged APTC for the initiative to offer capacity building training for Yankie.
“As the Vanuatu Qualifications Authority is currently processing approval to deliver accredited training at Lorevuilko training centre, the skills Yankie is acquiring at APTC will be very useful,” he said.
Fr Willie further elaborated that with Yankie’s newly-found skills, he will be able to deliver and assess VQA-accredited courses once they become available at Lorevuilko.
Applauding the efforts of this initiative, APTC Country Director for Vanuatu and Nauru, Anna Naupa, said that the ACOMVETS-APTC partnership was vital in promoting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) pathways in Vanuatu.
“APTC values its partnership with ACOMVETS as we continue to upskill our national trainers to deliver accredited training and encourage more people to be trained in any TVET courses,” she said.
Yankie spent two months at APTC training students in APTC’s Certificate III in Carpentry.