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2019 News Archive

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APTC students end Work Skills Forum on high note

Aug 09, 2019

APTC students were empowered to put their knowledge and skills into practice during the recent Work Skills Forum in Solomon Islands, with the theme, “Putting Learned Skills to Work”.

Leaders from Government, the private sector and donor partners attended the forum and reiterated to students the benefits of perfecting their skills through practice.

The forum was hosted to mark the end of the first semester and brought together over 50 APTC students and alumni to network, interact and receive first-hand information from leaders in various organisations across the country on how to better utilise their skills and meet workplace demands.

Deputy Director of the Labour Mobility Unit under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Jenny Barile, said the Solomon Islands Government has established a partnership with the Australian Government through the Pacific Labour Scheme.

“To improve your knowledge and skills, I strongly encourage you to work smart and be open to learning and employment opportunities that will enable you to maintain your professional skills and further develop existing skills,” Ms Barile said.

Bede O’Brien, Team Leader of the Australian-funded Skills for Economic Growth program, emphasised to students the importance of personal hygiene and personal presentation as two crucial foundations to personal, professional or skills development.

He also emphasised that knowledge is power, but only if it is shared and utilised accordingly.

Mr O’Brien said the Skills for Economic Growth Program works in partnership with APTC to strengthen TVET delivery in Solomon Islands in order to produce quality graduates with the essential skills and knowledge required by the labour market.

“Employers are not only looking for technical skills and qualifications but employability skills as well, and this is according to the industry consultation carried out lately,” he added.

Also discussed at the Work Skills Forum were topics including time management, self-evaluation, personal hygiene and professional presentation, all described as qualities employers looked for in employees.

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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