--- title: 117 Tongans Graduate with Australian Qualifications, Boosting Local Skills description: 117 Tongans Graduate with Australian Qualifications, Boosting Local Skills image: https://aptc.edu.au/hubfs/Photo%203%20-%20Graduates%20with%20VIP%20guests%20at%20graduation%20ceremony.jpg --- [![APTC-Logo+Title+AustAid-colour](https://aptc.edu.au/hubfs/Brand/APTC-Logo+Title+AustAid-colour.svg "APTC-Logo+Title+AustAid-colour")](https://aptc.edu.au/) [![APTC-Logo+AustAid-colour](https://aptc.edu.au/hubfs/Brand/APTC-Logo+AustAid-colour.svg "APTC-Logo+AustAid-colour")](https://aptc.edu.au/) - [Who we are](https://aptc.edu.au) - [Our Performance](https://aptc.edu.au/our-performance) - [APTC Locations](https://aptc.edu.au/locations) - [Fiji Islands](https://aptc.edu.au/fiji-islands-regional-head-offic) - [Papua New Guinea](https://aptc.edu.au/papua-new-guinea-country-office) - [Samoa](https://aptc.edu.au/samoa-country-office) - [Kiribati](https://aptc.edu.au/kiribati-country-contact) - [Solomon Islands](https://aptc.edu.au/solomon-islands-country-offic) - [Vanuatu](https://aptc.edu.au/vanuatu-country-offic) - [Timor-Leste](https://aptc.edu.au/timor-leste-country-contact) - [Tonga](https://aptc.edu.au/tonga-country-contact) - [Nauru](https://aptc.edu.au/nauru-country-contact) - [Tuvalu](https://aptc.edu.au/tuvalu-country-contact) - [Video Gallery](https://aptc.edu.au/video-gallery) - [Enquiries & Feedback](https://aptc.edu.au/feedback) - [What we do](https://aptc.edu.au/what-we-do) - [Australian TVET Qualifications](https://aptc.edu.au/australian-tvet-qualifications) - [Labour Mobility](https://aptc.edu.au/labour-mobility) - [Gender Equity, Disability & Social Inclusion](https://aptc.edu.au/gedsi) - [Skills for Infrastructure](https://aptc.edu.au/skills-for-infrastructure) - [Climate & Disaster Resilience](https://aptc.edu.au/skills-for-climate-and-disaster-resilience) - [Student Services](https://aptc.edu.au/aptc-student-services) - [Alumni Hub](https://aptc.edu.au/alumni-hub) - [Alumni Spotlight](https://aptc.edu.au/alumni-spotlight) - [Stay Connected](https://aptc.edu.au/alumni-update-details) - [Alumni Registration](https://aptc.edu.au/alumni-registration) [Jobs Portal](https://aptc.edu.au/aptc-jobs-portal) [Jobs Portal](https://alumnijobs.aptc.edu.au/) More results - [Who we are](https://aptc.edu.au) - [Our Performance](https://aptc.edu.au/our-performance) - [APTC Locations](https://aptc.edu.au/locations) - [Fiji Islands](https://aptc.edu.au/fiji-islands-regional-head-offic) - [Papua New Guinea](https://aptc.edu.au/papua-new-guinea-country-office) - [Samoa](https://aptc.edu.au/samoa-country-office) - [Kiribati](https://aptc.edu.au/kiribati-country-contact) - [Solomon Islands](https://aptc.edu.au/solomon-islands-country-offic) - [Vanuatu](https://aptc.edu.au/vanuatu-country-offic) - [Timor-Leste](https://aptc.edu.au/timor-leste-country-contact) - [Tonga](https://aptc.edu.au/tonga-country-contact) - [Nauru](https://aptc.edu.au/nauru-country-contact) - [Tuvalu](https://aptc.edu.au/tuvalu-country-contact) - [Video Gallery](https://aptc.edu.au/video-gallery) - [Enquiries & Feedback](https://aptc.edu.au/feedback) - [What we do](https://aptc.edu.au/what-we-do) - [Australian TVET Qualifications](https://aptc.edu.au/australian-tvet-qualifications) - [Labour Mobility](https://aptc.edu.au/labour-mobility) - [Gender Equity, Disability & Social Inclusion](https://aptc.edu.au/gedsi) - [Skills for Infrastructure](https://aptc.edu.au/skills-for-infrastructure) - [Climate & Disaster Resilience](https://aptc.edu.au/skills-for-climate-and-disaster-resilience) - [Student Services](https://aptc.edu.au/aptc-student-services) - [Alumni Hub](https://aptc.edu.au/alumni-hub) - [Alumni Spotlight](https://aptc.edu.au/alumni-spotlight) - [Stay Connected](https://aptc.edu.au/alumni-update-details) - [Alumni Registration](https://aptc.edu.au/alumni-registration) [Jobs Portal](https://aptc.edu.au/aptc-jobs-portal) [Tonga](https://aptc.edu.au/news/tag/tonga)[Media Releases](https://aptc.edu.au/news/tag/media-releases) # 117 Tongans Graduate with Australian Qualifications, Boosting Local Skills [![APTC Media](https://aptc.edu.au/hubfs/Brand/APTC-Symbol-colour.svg)](https://aptc.edu.au/news/author/media) by [APTC Media](https://aptc.edu.au/news/author/media) 17 February 2025 One hundred and seventeen Tongans have proudly graduated with Australian-standard qualifications in a range of technical and vocational fields, through the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC). The graduates celebrated their achievements at a ceremony held at the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel. This significant boost to Tonga's skilled workforce underscores the strong partnership between Australia and Tonga in driving economic growth and developing local skills. In his keynote address, the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, His Excellency Mr Brek Batley, congratulated the graduates and acknowledged their resilience and determination throughout their learning journey. He emphasised Australian government’s commitment to supporting high-quality technical and vocational education and training (TVET) delivery and improving outcomes for Tongans. "Since 2007, Australia has delivered high-quality training and better futures for 763 Tongans," he said. "We've invested in regional and international training to boost Tongan skills in key areas, directly addressing the needs identified by Tonga's government and institutions. Australia is delighted to support Tonga in achieving these positive outcomes through skills development,” he added. He also highlighted the close collaboration between APTC and the Ministry of Education and Training, and various TVET providers, in strengthening TVET systems and supporting better livelihoods. The graduates, including 70 women, completed full qualifications in thirteen different courses – fashion design and technology, commercial cookery, individual support, engineering – mechanical trade, plumbing, light vehicle mechanical technology, carpentry, community services, fabrication trade, skills for work and vocational pathways, construction and International Skills Training (IST) TVET Trainer and Assessor courses. Among the graduates, seven women completed training in male-dominated fields such as plumbing, construction, carpentry, light vehicle mechanical technology, and engineering mechanical and fabrication trades courses. “It is truly commendable to see that more than 50 percent of graduates today are women,” said APTC Country Director for Samoa and Tonga, Ms Lagaaia Lealiifano Easter Manila Silipa in delivering her closing remarks. “Women’s participation in TVET is a testament to the strength and inclusivity of the Tongan nation,” she added. The graduating cohort also included 30 TVET trainers from various TVET providers in Tonga. These trainers completed the IST TVET Trainer and Assessor courses to boost their capability, strengthen training quality for students, and increase the number of skilled workers in Tonga. Ms Mele Faleafa, who received an IST Certificate, expressed her gratitude for the Australian Government’s support for the people of Tonga through APTC. “After 16 years as a nurse and midwife, I transitioned to teaching last year. While I had the experience as a nurse, I wanted to gain teaching skills. The APTC IST course was invaluable, equipping me to become an effective trainer and assessor and I’m thankful for this opportunity.” Plumbing graduate, Ms Takui Vaisingano, has her eyes set on opening her own plumbing business in Tonga and plans to share her newfound knowledge and skills with her family and community. "My APTC qualification landed me a job with a leading global plumbing company right here in Tonga, alongside fellow APTC graduates. APTC turned my dream into reality, and I'm confident this is just the beginning.” ![Photo 1 - H.E Mr Brek Batley with a FSK graduate](https://aptc.edu.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo%201%20-%20H.E%20Mr%20Brek%20Batley%20with%20a%20FSK%20graduate.jpg?width=3592&height=3302&name=Photo%201%20-%20H.E%20Mr%20Brek%20Batley%20with%20a%20FSK%20graduate.jpg) *Photo caption: H.E Mr Brek Batley with a FSK graduate* *![Photo 2 - H.E Mr Brek Batley, IST Graduate and Ms Lagaaia Lealiifano Easter Manila Silipa](https://aptc.edu.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo%202%20-%20H.E%20Mr%20Brek%20Batley%2c%20IST%20Graduate%20and%20Ms%20Lagaaia%20Lealiifano%20Easter%20Manila%20Silipa.jpg?width=3468&height=3257&name=Photo%202%20-%20H.E%20Mr%20Brek%20Batley%2c%20IST%20Graduate%20and%20Ms%20Lagaaia%20Lealiifano%20Easter%20Manila%20Silipa.jpg)* * Photo Caption: H.E Mr Brek Batley, IST Graduate and Ms Lagaaia Lealiifano Easter Manila Silipa* ![Photo 4 - Ms Takui Vaisingano graduating with a Certificate II in Plumbing Services](https://aptc.edu.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Photo%204%20-%20Ms%20Takui%20Vaisingano%20graduating%20with%20a%20Certificate%20II%20in%20Plumbing%20Services.jpg?width=2979&height=3387&name=Photo%204%20-%20Ms%20Takui%20Vaisingano%20graduating%20with%20a%20Certificate%20II%20in%20Plumbing%20Services.jpg) *Photo caption: Ms Takui Vaisingano graduating with a Certificate II in Plumbing Services* Share [Share on X](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https://aptc.edu.au/news/117-tongans-graduate-with-australian-qualifications-boosting-local-skills&text=117+Tongans+Graduate+with+Australian+Qualifications%2C+Boosting+Local+Skills) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://aptc.edu.au/news/117-tongans-graduate-with-australian-qualifications-boosting-local-skills&t=117+Tongans+Graduate+with+Australian+Qualifications%2C+Boosting+Local+Skills) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://aptc.edu.au/news/117-tongans-graduate-with-australian-qualifications-boosting-local-skills&t=117+Tongans+Graduate+with+Australian+Qualifications%2C+Boosting+Local+Skills) Previous story [← Youth in Penama Province learn new skills to improve their livelihoods](https://aptc.edu.au/news/youth-in-penama-province-learn-new-skills-to-improve-their-livelihoods) Next story [Fijians Get Hands-On Skills Boost to Tackle Job Market Challenges →](https://aptc.edu.au/news/fijians-get-hands-on-skills-boost-to-tackle-job-market-challenges) ## You May Also Like These Related Stories [Welcome to the APTC](https://aptc.edu.au/news/welcome-to-the-aptc) ![](https://aptc.edu.au/hubfs/Unsorted/IMG_0097.jpg) [Media Releases](https://aptc.edu.au/news/tag/media-releases) ### Welcome to the APTC 1 January 2022 [APTC equips 25 i-Kiribati with skills to drive economic progress](https://aptc.edu.au/news/aptc-equips-25-i-kiribati-with-skills-to-drive-economic-progress) ![APTC graduates in Kiribati after receiving their certificates at the graduation ceremony on 25 September, 2024.](https://aptc.edu.au/hubfs/APTCGR~1.jpg) [Kiribati](https://aptc.edu.au/news/tag/kiribati) ### APTC equips 25 i-Kiribati with skills to drive economic progress 13 October 2024 [Eighty-nine graduates earn qualifications through APTC](https://aptc.edu.au/news/eighty-nine-graduates-earn-qualifications-through-aptc) ![](https://aptc.edu.au/hubfs/Photo%206%20-%20APTC%20graduates%20with%20guests.jpg) [Samoa](https://aptc.edu.au/news/tag/samoa) ### Eighty-nine graduates earn qualifications through APTC 3 March 2025 #### Subscribe to the latest APTC News & Events. [About](https://aptc.edu.au) [Impact](https://aptc.edu.au/what-we-do) [Partners](https://aptc.edu.au/partnership-hub) [Students](https://aptc.edu.au/student-services) [Alumni](https://aptc.edu.au/alumni-hub) [Locations](https://aptc.edu.au/locations) APTC is an [Australian Government](https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/pacific/development-assistance/education) initiative in partnership with the Pacific & Timor-Leste, implemented by [TAFE Queensland](https://tafeqld.edu.au/). Copyright © 2026 Austalia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC). All Rights Reserved. [Terms of Use](http://aptc-24045200.hs-sites.com/terms-of-use) & [Privacy Policy](http://aptc-24045200.hs-sites.com/terms-of-use). Web design by [Koda](https://koda.design). ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "APTC Media", "url" : "https://aptc.edu.au/news/author/media" }, "dateModified" : "2025-02-18T01:39:31.821Z", "datePublished" : "2025-02-18T01:39:31.000Z", "headline" : "117 Tongans Graduate with Australian Qualifications, Boosting Local Skills", "image" : [ "https://aptc.edu.au/hubfs/Photo%203%20-%20Graduates%20with%20VIP%20guests%20at%20graduation%20ceremony.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://aptc.edu.au/news/117-tongans-graduate-with-australian-qualifications-boosting-local-skills", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://aptc.edu.au/hubfs/Brand/APTC-Logo+AustAid-colour.svg" }, "name" : "Australia Pacific Training Coalition" } } ```