APTC is delivering an Australian Certificate IV in Youth Work for Honiara City Council to 20 volunteer youth workers in the Solomon Islands in a skills development program funded by the Australian Government. ChildFund NZ is paying the tuition fees.
ChildFund NZ and Honiara City Council identified the need for specialist skills and knowledge to create and facilitate programs that address the social, behavioural, health, welfare, developmental and protection needs of young people in the Solomon Islands. In line with the Solomon Islands government's focus on youth through the National Youth Policy 2017 – 2030, the partners have established a Youth Hub to offer counselling services and well-being programs for young people.
The partners approached APTC to request support for this initiative through high-quality training for youth workers. APTC’s 22-week program resources and delivery were tailored to the individual learning needs of the participants. The training drew on the participants' experience and local examples, such as the services and programs provided by Honiara City Council, to ensure it was highly relevant and applicable.
The class has hosted guest speakers from local youth and community services organisations, including Seif Ples, Save the Children, Oxfam, Dream Cast, Social Welfare Division, and Honiara Youth Council, among others, and students have curiously and respectfully engaged with these industry representatives to gain further insight into the course work and build their professional network. As an essential part of the program, students have undergone work placement at the Honiara City Council, Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association, Honiara Youth Council, Live and Learn, Dreamcast and Family Support Centre.
Students are developing personally and professionally. Throughout the course, they are encouraged to reflect on their values and attitudes and the issues their communities face to understand the frameworks of youth work practice. The course explores concepts such as equality, accessibility, transparency, and empowerment.
APTC is proud to provide the participants with the professional skills, knowledge and employability skills to build their capability to support Solomon Islands youth and improve their employment opportunities. Trainer Samantha Cooper comments, “It has been inspiring to see students analyse and explore how to apply youth work practices to their cultural and community context.”
Successful participants will be eligible to receive the Australian qualification CHC40413 Certificate IV in Youth Work, issued by TAFE Queensland (RTO 0275), upon completion of the program. They will deliver well-being programs and workshops within the youth centre and outreach programs in the community.