The Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) is delighted to commence working in Timor-Leste this month through its newly established Country Office.
APTC Timor-Leste will work in partnership with the Government of Timor-Leste, private sector, civil society groups and training providers to support national Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems reform, and assist Timorese citizens to gain quality skills and qualifications for vocational careers in demand, both domestically and abroad. It will also support the implementation of Timor-Leste’s Economic Recovery Plan 2020-2022.
APTC’s Executive Director, Janelle Chapman said, “APTC is proud to build on Australia’s previous investments in TVET system strengthening in Timor-Leste, particularly in the areas of TVET leadership and institutional development, skills training delivery, labour mobility work readiness and support with TVET centre planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning.”
The establishment of APTC Timor-Leste was formally announced on 9 July 2021 through an exchange of letters between the Timor-Leste Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment, Alarico de Rosário, and the Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Peter Roberts.
The announcement reaffirmed Australia’s increased investment in skills for a strong and prosperous Timor-Leste, complementing and building on the work undertaken by the Workforce Development Program Timor-Leste (WDPTL) and the Pacific Labour Facility (PLF).
The Ambassador noted APTC will work closely with the government of Timor-Leste and the PLF to prepare the capacity of Timorese people to work in Australia.
“APTC and PLF are designed to work together and complement each other. I am delighted to have these two programs working together in Timor-Leste,” he said.
This sentiment was echoed by the Secretary of State, who thanked the Australian Government for its continued support for vocational training and assured, “During my mandate, I will do my best to ensure this program will be successfully implemented in Timor-Leste.”
As Australia’s flagship TVET program, APTC’s goal is to contribute to a more skilled, inclusive and productive workforce for the region.
“We will support training for domestic and international labour markets in line with the priorities of the Government of Timor-Leste, and focus on equitable access for women, people from remote and rural areas, people with disabilities and other marginalised groups,” Ms Chapman added.
APTC was first announced as an Australian Government initiative at the Pacific Islands Forum in 2006. Apart from Timor-Leste, APTC already serves nine countries: Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Tuvalu, Tonga and Kiribati.
Since its establishment in 2007, APTC has supported over 17,000 citizens in the region to gain Australian-standard TVET skills and qualifications.