Sixty-nine i-Kiribati nationals graduated from the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) with internationally recognised qualifications in Construction, Plumbing, Hospitality and Tourism, at a graduation ceremony hosted by Kiribati Institute of Technology (KIT) at Tenimanraoi Maneaba, Takoronga, on Wednesday 9 October 2019.

Of the 69 graduates, 15 were females, who graduated in plumbing and business.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Australian High Commissioner to Kiribati, Bruce Cowled, commended the graduates for pursuing further studies.

“I hope that your new qualifications will open new employment prospects for you, both here in Kiribati and abroad,” Mr Cowled said.

The Honourable Minister for Justice, Natan Teewe, delivered the keynote address to graduates and said, “APTC and KIT share a commitment to quality vocational skills-based training that is internationally recognised and relevant to industry demands.”

“The work between APTC and KIT supports Kiribati’s 20-year vision, by promoting inclusive formal education and skills development for i-Kiribati, improving prospects for overseas and domestic employment,” Minister Teewe said.

The working relationship between APTC and KIT opens up pathways to a wider range of qualifications for Kiribati nationals to participate in international labour mobility programs such as the Australian Government’s Pacific Labour Scheme.

This approach has seen graduates from APTC and KIT help address skills gaps in industries such as tourism, infrastructure development and hospitality across the region.

As Australia’s flagship technical and vocational education and training (TVET) program, APTC has trained over 14,000 Pacific women and men, including more than 500 i-Kiribati since it commenced in 2007.

Now in its third stage, APTC will continue to deliver high quality, internationally recognised training to improve graduates' employment opportunities, support greater investment in skills training, and promote higher quality TVET delivery across the Pacific.