APTC Supports Vanuatu’s workforce affected by COVID-19 through work-ready skills development

10 Sep 2020

There has never been a better time to build on human resources said Commissioner of Labour, Murielle Meltenoven, during a ceremony to mark the successful completion of the first Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC)’s Work-Ready Skills workshop.

The workshop is supported by the Australian Government and delivered by APTC Trainer, Eunice David and consultants Kathy Solomon and Serah Tari, in partnership with the Vanuatu Department of Labour and Australia’s Pacific Labour Facility (PLF). The workshop covered a range of essential ready-for-work skills such as work health and safety, financial literacy and basic digital literacy.

Ms David was pleased with the commitment of the participants throughout their respective two-week training to enhance their employability skills.

“The groups have shown a lot of interest and participants are keen to learn new things which made the lessons more interesting and fun,” she said.

Flora Wilson, a participant in the first workshop, thanked the Australian Government, the Pacific Labour Facility, the Vanuatu Department of Labour and APTC for the opportunity to develop these critical work-ready skills and to be ready for any employment opportunities available.

“More than half of the participants in this workshop were employed in the tourism industry and have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. The COVID-19 situation gave us extra time to develop our skills and learn new things through APTC,” Flora said.  

“For some, it’s the first time we own an email address or have learned how to properly write a job application letter. After this workshop, we feel confident to use these newly-found skills to secure a job once everything returns to normal,” she continued. 

PLF’s Labour Mobility Engagement Manager in Vanuatu, Georgia Noy, reaffirmed that employers in Australia sought workers that demonstrated employability skills such as strong work ethic, time management, confidence in communicating and teamwork skills. 

“These skills are just as important as the technical skills used in the meatworks, agriculture or hospitality industries. That is why we are prioritising ‘work-ready’ training through our partnership with APTC,” Ms Noy said.

APTC’s Country Director for Vanuatu and Nauru, Anna Naupa, reiterated APTC’s commitment to upskill and improve the employability skills of Pacific Island citizens to assist them to secure employment at home and abroad. She also acknowledged APTC’s partnership with the Vanuatu Department of Labour and Pacific Labour Facility, and the continuous support from the Australian Government in making this possible.

“APTC is supporting employability and technical skills development across the entire Pacific region. Skills help drive employment, business and economic growth in each country,” she said.

Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Susan Ryle, attended the ceremony. She encouraged participants to lead and continue their professional development.

“Congratulations on successfully completing the two-week workshop. The skills you’ve learnt will be very useful in the domestic job market, as well as when you can again start looking for any job opportunities in Australia through the Pacific Labour Scheme,” she said.

Ms Ryle also reiterated Australia’s commitment to supporting skills development for Ni-Vanuatu to secure employment opportunities in Vanuatu and Australia.

The workshop was delivered to more than sixty potential labour mobility ni-Vanuatu recruits to support them in their efforts to secure job opportunities in Australia through the Pacific Labour Scheme, as well as to find jobs at home.

APTC continues to deliver technical and employability skills across all our campuses in the Pacific region.