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Kasanita Holani- Tonga

APTC welcomes newly-appointed Country Engagement and Liaison Coordinator for Tonga

Dec 16, 2019

The Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Kasanita Momota Holani as the new Country Engagement and Liaison Coordinator for Tonga.

This is a new position created to lead APTC’s coordinating operations and administration of country plans within Tonga.

Ms Holani is the focal point of all APTC activities in-country, promoting the benefits of the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to potential students, national stakeholders as well as to development partners.

Her duties also include raising awareness in Tonga about TVET programs delivered by APTC and its training partners across the Pacific.

Hailing from Ngele’ia in Nuku’alofa, Ms Holani’s motivation for joining the APTC family is to contribute to the shared vision to enhance Pacific prosperity through a skilled, inclusive and productive workforce. 

“I am hoping that in my new position, I will be able to increase the numbers for Tongans graduating from APTC programs as these skills and qualifications have immense value. A skilled labor force is vital to the socio-economic growth and development within Tonga and the Pacific,” Ms Holani said.

Prior to joining APTC, Ms Holani worked in the higher education sector in New Zealand for the Auckland Institute of Studies, where she acquired more than 10 years’ experience in Marketing Management, Marketing Strategy, Event Management, Study Pathway Development and Leadership.

She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts from ‘Atenisi University, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies from the University of Auckland and a Master of Business Administration in Operations and Logistics from the Auckland Institute of Studies.

Based in Tonga, Ms Holani joins APTC with a wealth of knowledge in higher education and skills training.

In her previous position, she was also responsible for driving recruitment for national and Pacific students whilst working with other tertiary education providers to ensure pathways into higher learning.

“I would like for Tonga to have a more developed economy fueled by skills. APTC and TVET’s role in this is educating our people, the human capital skills that will drive the socio-economic growth and development,” Ms Holani added.

Her appointment comes at an exciting time as APTC recently celebrated the milestone of its 15,000th graduate in the Pacific. This milestone was celebrated in Tonga with Palepina Maniana Poi Tonga receiving her internationally recognised qualification at the APTC Graduation Ceremony in Nuku’alofa in October.

APTC’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms Soli Middleby, said APTC is delighted to welcome Ms Holani, whose wealth of knowledge and experience will complement that of the current talented team in delivering positive outcomes for quality TVET delivery across the Pacific.

“APTC is proud to have Kasanita in our team, and we look forward to all the positive developments in skills training that she will inspire for Tongan nationals and APTC. We also look forward to having more on-island presence to support lifelong learning,” she said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Country Director for Samoa and Tonga, Ms Cheri Robinson Moors, said Ms Holani will be a “wonderful asset for APTC”.

“Her skills and experience will enable us to connect and be of better service to the people and stakeholders in Tonga,” Ms Moors said.

APTC is Australia’s flagship program for training excellence, helping Pacific Island citizens gain Australian skills and qualifications for a wide range of vocational careers. More than 15,000 Pacific Island citizens have graduated from APTC since it began operations in 2007.

APTC is an Australian Government initiative in partnership with the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

APTC is implemented by TAFE Queensland (RTO 0275)

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