The Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) has long been a centre of training excellence helping Vanuatu men and women gain Australian skills and qualifications that in turn provides them with employment in a range of vocational careers.
APTC has recently celebrated its Graduation Ceremony on August 7, with 69 Ni-Vanuatu graduates who have successfully met the extracurricular requirements and will contribute to a skilled, inclusive and productive workforce for the country.
The graduates all come from a range of fields from Carpentry, Commercial Cookery, Education Support, Hospitality, Tourism, Leadership and Management, Training and Assessment and International Skills Training.
Director of Tertiary Education from the Ministry of Education, Ms Anne-Rose Tjiobang said decent employment for graduates means greater economic opportunities and improved livelihoods for the benefit and the progress of Vanuatu and the region.
“An Australian Qualification/Award is indeed a significant achievement,” Director Tjiobang stated.
“On graduating today, you are in a position to put your internationally recognised qualifications into practice as part of the Vanuatu workforce, as well as abroad.
“It is a point of pride to note the 100% satisfaction rate of Vanuatu employers of APTC graduates. And this is also reflected positively in the 100% satisfaction rate of students.
“I am happy to note that the Vanuatu Government welcomes working more closely with APTC as it engages with Pacific governments, training providers and industry across the region, to ensure training is relevant and aligned to the career aspirations of Pacific Islanders.
“I also congratulate APTC and stakeholders on successfully taking their partnerships forward together.
“This includes the newly affirmed partnership between APTC and the Vanuatu Institute of Technology.
“In addition, I acknowledge the great work done in delivering nationally accredited plumbing training on Santo Island, which saw the Vanuatu Qualifications Authority, Vanuatu Skills Program, Torgil Rural Training Centre, UNICEF and APTC collaborate to upskill plumbers on the island and build amenities blocks for communities displaced by the Ambae volcanic eruption.”
Director Tjiobang extended her gratitude towards the 41 women amongst the graduates who have accomplished their education with perseverance and self-esteem.
“Women in Vanuatu are key contributors to the society and it is pleasing to see today that majority of today’s graduates are women,” she said.
“You will join more than 1,900 Vanuatu nationals who have graduated from APTC since its establishment, 54% of whom are women.”
In its third stage, the APTC will continue to deliver high quality training to international standards in new and innovative ways, in order to contribute to a more skilled, inclusive and productive workforce that enhances Pacific prosperity.
