The Australian Government, through the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), is collaborating with local technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions to boost trainer capacity in Fiji’s TVET sector and lift the number and quality of skilled workers in Fiji.
More than 60 trainers from various training institutions recently completed the International Skills Training (IST) Trainer and Assessor course and the Advanced Trainer and Assessor course to build their capacity and improve skills-based training delivery in Fiji.
APTC delivered the program in collaboration with the University of the South Pacific (USP) Pacific TAFE and the Higher Education Commission Fiji (HEC) as part of efforts to strengthen TVET in Fiji.
The IST is an internationally accredited program that trains and assesses adult learners in TVET within their respective industries, aimed at meeting the growing demand for skilled workers through quality training.
The participants were from USP Pacific TAFE and Lautoka Campus, Methodist Church of Fiji, and select trainers from HEC-approved institutions.
The achievements of the graduates, which included more than 40 women, were celebrated at a graduation ceremony in Suva on Friday, 14 July 2023.
APTC Fiji Country Director for Fiji and Tuvalu, Gareth McGrath, congratulated the graduates and commended them on their dedication to completing the intense program.
“IST is a program that allows participants to critically reflect upon their teaching practices and evaluate the best ways of delivering training to students. We are TVET champions and understand how practical skills and knowledge need to be imparted to our students,” Mr McGrath said.
He added that APTC’s partnership with the USP Pacific TAFE and HEC is invaluable, emphasising that the IST training served as a crucial stepping stone towards fostering greater collaboration in the future.
International Flight Information Service Officer with the Air Traffic Management Department at Fiji Airports, Paula Toga, said the training gave him the confidence to make reasoned judgments in line with industry and learners’ needs.
“We have learned the art of effective communication, how to engage diverse audiences, and the importance of adapting our training methods to cater for different learning styles. These skills enable us to connect with others effectively and create a meaningful learning experience,” Mr Toga said.
Another participant, Asishna Ansu, Coordinator - Professional Diploma Programmes at USP, thanked APTC for helping to create an effective and competent education system for a skilled and qualified workforce through the IST program.
“We learned about what the industry needs in terms of the desired training and how to address competency gaps. The units were about standards, looking at the performance criteria, and identifying the required knowledge and skill set,” Ms Ansu added.
The training was delivered in three blocks between March to April 2023.