APTC alumni benefit from Coaching Skills workshop

10 June 2016

Employees must continuously upgrade their skills and knowledge to remain on par with industry needs and perform efficiently in the workplace.

Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) is offering opportunities for this type of professional development to its alumni in the form of Coaching Skills workshops.

The workshops train alumni to be better mentors in the workplace and to provide constructive feedback to improve productivity.

APTC, which is supported by the Australian Government, has over 9500 graduates who have graduated with Australian qualifications in a wide range of vocational careers across the Pacific.

APTC Specialist Adviser - Professional Development, Ms Bridget Gray, said that APTC graduates are well-positioned to share their skills with others in the workplace.

“Interactive workshops, such as these, will allow them to confidently share the skills they have learned over the years at APTC, and coach others in the workplace,” she added.

Mr Whitson Sogori attended the first workshop held in Port Moresby on 10 May. He is a graduate with Certificate III in Engineering – Heavy Fabrication.

Mr Sogori often trains and mentors new recruits and apprentices, and said that the information and practical skills he acquired at the workshop will help him be a better coach.

Similar views were expressed by another alumnus, Mr Suliasi Sarosaro, who attended the second workshop in Suva on 25 May.
Mr Sarosaro is a Project Officer with Save the Children Fiji, and said, the workshop has helped him develop a two-way communication approach, bringing out the best in workmates and helping everyone function as a team.

“It showed me the importance of learning how to receive and provide feedback. I also learned that sharing knowledge amongst colleagues often closes the gap,” he mentioned.

A similar workshop was held on 2 June in Nadi.