APTC assists Samoa’s workforce through training

03 Aug 2016

The Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) continues to support the people of Samoa by providing training in the trades, hospitality, tourism, health and community sectors.

Around 98 percent of APTC’s Samoan graduates have increased employability as a result of receiving up-to-date specialised industry knowledge and skills and are working across various industries as found in APTC’s 2015 Employer Survey.

This week, more than 55 students were awarded an Australian qualification in 9 programs at APTC’s graduation ceremony in Apia.

APTC is an innovative development project funded by the Australian Government, which delivers Australian skills and qualifications for a wide range of vocational careers for skilled workers across the Pacific.

Since the College’s establishment in 2007, over 1200 Samoans have graduated from APTC, of which 55 were from the recent graduation. Four Fijian nationals were also awarded qualifications at this ceremony.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Honourable Fiame Naomi Mataafa, delivered the keynote address.

“The model of multiple campuses in the Pacific that APTC offers us has enabled our Pacific people to travel to different countries, not only to undertake their programs in learning but also, to find out about other countries in the region and to build networks not only nationally, but regionally, so that we can share talents and qualifications that have been gained through APTC,” she said.

The Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Her Excellency, Susan Langford, extended the best wishes of the Australian government to the new graduates in her closing address.

 “It takes commitment and hard work to earn a qualification, together with support and inspiration from your teachers, family and friends,” stated the High Commissioner. “And I am confident, that the APTC qualification you have received today will expand your opportunities and enable you to achieve your goals.”
 
22 women graduated at the ceremony. The graduating class also included 10 students who undertook Certificate IV in Youth Work, which was conducted for the first time in Samoa last semester. The students learned how to develop inclusive policies and guidelines and organising programs and activities for young people.

Certificate III in Plumbing graduate, Mr Isaia Sulusi, spoke on behalf of the graduates and thanked APTC, the Samoan and Australian governments, their employers and families for providing support.

He further encouraged his fellow graduates, saying, “This day marks a new chapter in your life. The book is your life, and your life is the story, so please make it a good one”.
APTC’s campus in Samoa continues to collaborate with the industry and local technical and vocational education and training (TVET) providers to deliver quality training.

Recently, APTC’s plumbing program and the Samoa Plumbers Association hosted an industry refresher on gas fitting tips for plumbing contractors.

APTC also has a partnership agreement with the National University of Samoa (NUS) which was signed this year. APTC and NUS jointly provided assistance at the recent launch of the new Taumeasina Island Resort by training the resort’s staff at APTC’s Visions Restaurant and training kitchen and facilitating the testing of menus.

The agreement with NUS has also opened up opportunities for APTC’s Health Services Assistance graduates to study further. More than 15 APTC graduates are currently enrolled in the Diploma and Bachelor of Nursing programs at NUS.