Over 60 invited guests, family and friends of 68 Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) graduates, gathered at the ‘Ahopanilolo Technical Institute (ATI) on Thursday, 18 December to celebrate graduates’ achievements. 

The graduation ceremony was a combined graduation for both APTC and ATI students. 

APTC is a development initiative funded by the Australian Government to deliver training and to increase the supply of skilled workers in targeted sectors in the Pacific region. APTC has campuses in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

His Lordship, Soane Patita Paini Mafi, Bishop of the Catholic Church in Tonga, delivered the keynote address. 

All graduates were Tongan citizens, except for three Samoans and a Fijian national who all reside in Tonga. Graduates completed their programs at one of APTC’s campuses in Fiji, Vanuatu or Samoa. 

Graduates included participants who successfully completed their program requirements as part of APTC’s pilot delivery in Home and Aged Care. The pilot delivery was facilitated through a partnership between APTC and the ATI. There were a total of 20 participants of the pilot program who graduated with Australian qualifications. Remaining graduates (numbering 48 in total) completed programs in Certificate III, IV or Diploma levels. 

Graduates successfully completed studies in Children’s Services, Commercial Cookery, Disability, Diesel Fitting, Fabrication, Fitting and Machining, Home and Community/Aged Care, Hospitality, Hospitality Supervision, Automotive Light Vehicle, Painting and Decorating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Tourism, Wall and Floor Tiling and Youth Work.