Over 50 Fijians proudly graduated with Australian qualifications in 12 technical courses, during the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) graduation ceremony in Nadi today.
They join over 3800 Fijians, of which more than 1550 are women, who have graduated from APTC - Australia’s flagship program for training excellence.
In her keynote address, Fiji Higher Education Commission Director, Ms Linda Aumua, congratulated the graduates, urging them to use their newfound skills and knowledge to contribute to their workplaces in innovative ways.
She added that FHEC was proud to support APTC’s continued efforts to upskill the national workforce through TVET.
APTC and FHEC have been collaborating on building TVET capacity by providing professional development opportunities such as the Australian Certificate IV in Leadership and Management and National Certificate IV in Teaching of TVET.
Ms Aumua said FHEC would work more closely with APTC to ensure more Fijians benefit from high quality training.
She also congratulated APTC on winning the prestigious World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) Awards of Excellence in the category of Access to Learning and Employment.
The Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, H.E. John Feakes, also congratulated the students, encouraging them to utilise fully their new skills.
“Australia is proud of the partnerships that APTC has formed across the Pacific, including with the Fiji Higher Education Commission. To the graduands, seize opportunities that come your way so you can create positive changes in your life, the welfare of your family and enrich your community,” he said.
The biggest cohort to graduate during the ceremony was of 18 students from the Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (Machining) program. This included 14 employees of Fiji Water Ltd.
Under a partnership arrangement, APTC delivered training to Fiji Water employees at their workplace over a span of two years.
Director Production at Fiji Water, Mr Michael Lynch, said employees had greatly benefitted from APTC’s high quality training. He added the new skills gained by Fiji Water staff would contribute towards improving workplace productivity.
The new graduates received certificates in applied fashion design and technology, carpentry, commercial cookery, electrotechnology electrician, fabrication trade, mechanical trade (diesel fitting), machining, hospitality, individual support, light vehicle mechanical technology, plumbing, and wall and floor tiling.
APTC provides Pacific Island citizens with Australian skills and qualifications for a wide range of vocational careers. It delivers training from its country locations in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.