The Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) graduation held on Wednesday, 20 November 2013, allowed  sixty-nine graduates to celebrate their achievements with family at the Vanuatu Institute of Technology (VIT), Hospitality Training and Leisure Training Centre (HTLTC).

Each of the Vanuatu graduates received an internationally recognised Australian qualification at a Certificate III or IV level. The graduates have successfully completed their studies in one of the following APTC Certificate III and Certificate IV courses – Automotive, Carpentry, Children’s Services, Commercial Cookery, Community Services, Disability Studies, Hairdressing, Home and Community/Aged Care, Hospitality, Patisserie, Tourism, Training and Assessment and Youth Work.

They join the alumni of over 5500 APTC graduates from across 14 pacific island countries.  A recent survey indicates that over 90% of APTC graduates are gainfully employed.

APTC is achieving its targets through partnership arrangements and connections with industry, employers, community and government at national, regional and international levels.

Denise O’Brien APTC CEO, hosted around 250 invited guests at the graduation including representatives from Vanuatu Government agencies, industry, local institutes, the Australian Government, graduates’ families and employers.

Mr Samuel Andikar, an APTC graduate in tourism was the chief guest speaker. He is also the founder and owner of the very successful Millennium Cave Tour and Millennium School Project on Santo.

This was the first time an APTC Alumni member delivers the key note address at the any APTC graduation. Other firsts for this graduation included:

• the first female Vanuatu graduate from the Certificate III in Automotive
• the first Vanuatu graduate from Certificate IV in Disability
• the first class from the Certificate III in Community Services delivered in Vanuatu.

Support was provided for students this graduation by being able to use the facilities of the training partner at the Vanuatu Institute of Technology’s (VIT) Hospitality Training and Leisure Training Centre’s Nambanga kitchen.

The APTC students currently studying the Hospitality and Lodge program greeted guests and ushered them to their seats, provided garlanding for VIPs and served food during the event. The APTC Commercial Cookery students catered for the celebrations after the official program.

The APTC students completing the Certificate III on Youth Work provided entertainment. The entertainers have successfully performed in recent Fest Nabuan Festival, Vanuatu’s popular annual Music Festival.