Australia, through the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), recently handed over carpentry, construction and joinery tools and equipment to three Rural Training Centres to boost skills development in the Solomon Islands.
The support to Afutara Adventist Technical Institute, Batuna Adventist Vocational School, and Kaotave Rural Training Centre (RTC) forms part of a wider effort to strengthen the quality of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) delivery in the region and equip young Solomon Islanders with valuable skills and knowledge.
At an official handover ceremony held last month, representatives from the Australian High Commission to the Solomon Islands, education authorities, the three RTCs and APTC celebrated this significant step towards enhancing infrastrure-sector linked vocational training which fosters economic development in the Solomon Islands.
Counsellor for Economic Development at the Australian High Commission in Honiara, Alison Purnell, expressed her support and appreciation for this initiative.
"Australia is proud to work through the APTC to advance TVET in the Solomon Islands. The provision of carpentry tools and equipment demonstrates our commitment to skill development, empowerment, and sustainable community development," Ms Purnell said.
Jimson Ikwaii, Principal of the Kaotave RTC, expressed his gratitude for the support from Australia through APTC.
"This generous support of tools and equipment is a game-changer for our students. It will enable them to gain much needed practical skills and experience required to excel in carpentry, construction and joinery. We are thankful to the Australian Government and APTC for this support,” Mr Ikwaii added.
Receiving on behalf of both Afutara and Batuna, Sam Taebo, Associate Education Director for the Seventh Day Adventist Northern Region Schools, said the tools and equipment would greatly benefit the students and instructors in ensuring effective training delivery.
"Education stands as the cornerstone in driving socio-economic development in our country. The Solomon Islands and Australian governments, through APTC, are dedicated to realising the transformation of RTC sectors into beacons of hope and opportunity for students, parents, and communities,” Mr Taebo said.
APTC Executive Director, Nicki Baird, said providing students with the necessary resources to build successful careers in carpentry and related fields is a step in the right direction towards supporting a strong infrastructure sector in Solomon Islands.
“By equipping the youth with practical skills, we are contributing to the sustainable development of communities and to empower individuals to secure meaningful employment,” Ms Baird added.
In the Solomon Islands, APTC supports 10 national training providers towards strengthening quality TVET provision. The 10 training providers, based in Guadalcanal, Isabel, Malaita and Western Provinces, are delivering skills training linked to priority economic sectors in the Solomon Islands.