Bougainville Technical College to benefit from Aust-funded TVET program
Bougainville Technical College is one of three selected educational institutions in the country who will be first to benefit from the new TVET (technical and vocational education training) program.
This was announced today by the Australian High Commissioner, H.E Jon Philp’s during his visit to the school in Tinputz, North Bougainville.
“I’m particularly pleased to announce that Australia is expanding our partnership with Bougainville and PNG in technical and vocational skills training through a program called the skills for subnational growth investment,” he revealed.
Mr Philp said that Australia recognizes skills training as one of the keys to progressing economic growth.
“We need to educate our young people particularly in skills. That development provides opportunities for higher wages in the workforce, it gives our youths who have been pushed out of the education system, the opportunity to come back into education to get skills they can have to lead a productive and happy life and it will help with high quality industry-relevant training,” he said.
He explained that earlier this year, the PNG and Australian Prime Ministers both agreed to an additional funding support of AUD$45million to be invested in the TVET program, and that part of this support will come to Bougainville. This program includes the upgrading of trainer qualifications and the development of a needs-based curriculum. The program will also aim to ensure that skills-training meets local needs and also builds connections to international labor markets. The Asia Pacific Training Coalition will be the implementing partner for this program in Bougainville.
Also present at the event was ABG Minister for Education, Hon. Theonila Roka Matbob, Taonita-Tinputz Member Hon. Morris Opeti and other community leaders.
Minister Matbob, in her remarks thanked the Government of Australia for the recognition given to the Bougainville Technical College for this vital program.
She said this support shows the continuous support that Australia has for Bougainville and also demonstrates commitment and partnership to the region.
The Education Minister explained that this new program contributes to translating the visions of her Ministry and Department and will bring a new and high quality level of skills to the young Bougainvilleans who will receive them.
Caption: ABG Minister for Education and Member for Ioro, Hon. Theonila Roka Matbob, shares a fist-bump with the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, H.E. Jon Philp, today at the Bougainville Technical College in Tinputz, Buka.
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