More than 120 Papua New Guineans have completed their study at the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC).

The new graduates were awarded with internationally recognised Australian qualifications in 12 different programs, ranging from carpentry to early childhood education, as the college marked its second graduation for the year in Papua New Guinea.

Speaking at the graduation, Mr Johnny Lo Yep, Program Manager Education, from the Australian High Commission, noted that technical and vocational training is essential for Papua New Guinea’s growing economy.

“Technical and vocational training institutions provide business and industry with the skilled staff they need to grow and create more jobs for Papua New Guinea citizens,” he said.

Mr Yep also said that since the college’s inception in 2007, more than a quarter of the college’s graduates have been women. Many of these women have taken on the challenge of getting qualified in traditionally male-dominated areas such as carpentry, metal fabrication and the electrical trades.

The graduates were trained at various APTC campus locations in PNG, Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu. APTC also has a campus in Solomon Islands.

APTC is an Australian Government funded program and Australia’s major investment in TVET across the Pacific.