The Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) marked the successful completion of training for 44 new graduates in Kiribati at a ceremony at the Kiribati Institute of Technology (KIT) Maneaba in Betio, Tarawa on 23 June, 2021.

The new graduates join over 600 i-Kiribati nationals, who have been supported by the Australian Government through APTC since 2007, its flagship technical and vocational education and training (TVET) investment in the Pacific.

The graduating cohort comprised 22 women and 22 men who were awarded Australian qualifications in seven different technical and vocational programs - Education Support, Diesel Fitting, Light Vehicle Mechanical Trade, Hospitality, Individual Support, Training and Assessment and International Skills Training.

The Secretary for the Ministry of Employment and Human Resources, Tiene Tooki Kanoua congratulated the graduates on their achievements, and added that the new skills and qualifications are crucial for Kiribati’s national development aspirations.

“You are in a position to put your international qualifications into practice as part of the Kiribati workforce here at home, as well as abroad. You will be role models of TVET in careers that will help drive economic progress in our country and the region,” she told graduates.

The graduation also recognised the longstanding partnership between APTC and KIT that supported the professional development of 22 KIT staff and trainers, who were also part of the graduating cohort.

Ms Kanoua commended APTC’s existing partnership with the KIT, and added that the Australian Government’s investment in skills development in Kiribati through APTC has been vital in upskilling the Kiribati workforce as well as continuing to raise the standard of TVET training for KIT.

The Australian High Commissioner to Kiribati, His Excellency David Yardley congratulated the graduates for their efforts in pursuing further studies for better employment and livelihoods.

The High Commissioner said that this support is an example of the rich, diverse, and enduring partnership between Australia and Kiribati. He added that the newly acquired qualifications will be part of the graduates’ success stories and a great contribution to the growth of Kiribati into the future.

This was APTC’s second graduation ceremony for i-Kiribati graduates this year.

Over 17,000 Pacific graduates have been trained by APTC since it was established in 2007.

Photo credit: Kiribati Institute of Technology (KIT)