A program to boost life skill trainings in seven Rural Training Centres (RTC) in the country was launched in Honiara on Friday at the Holy Cross compound.
The program dubbed Strengthening Technical and Agriculture Rural Training in Solomon Islands (START) will be implemented by Caritas New Zealand (NZ) and the Solomon Islands Association of Vocational Rural Training Centres (SIAVRTC) with the help from the New Zealand government.
SIAVRTC president Cherry Galo said the START program marked another milestone of SIAVRTC as a development in Solomon Islands.
He said SIAVRTC has done a lot for the country in life skills training and leadership for young people.
“We tried our very best to reach young people who do not make a choice to leave school but because of the national system they are pushed out and we are there as rescuer because they’re Solomon Islanders who will become leaders in the future.”
Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Education, James Bosomata said the launching marked another milestone in the history of the skills and technical vocational education training in the country.
He said the Ministry of Education recognised the importance of the skills and TVET sub-sector because it contributes to the development of the country’s human resources.
Mr Bosomata thanked the New Zealand government on behalf of the ministry for the support to skills and TVET training, and the churches for the vision they had some 30 years ago with the establishment of the RTC allow communities to access training.
He said this vision is evident today and being fulfilled by the steady growth of RTCs and community based training centres that are scattered throughout the country.
“Learning opportunities at the rural institutions are another form of learning that improves the community’s standard of living, develops the communities’ livelihood and contributes to the social and economical growth of the country.
“The Ministry of Education fully supports these centres by recommending seven RTCs and Vanga teachers college to be assisted under this partnership program.”
He highlighted that 80 percent of the support comes from the New Zealand government and 20 percent support is provided by Caritas, NZ.
The total amount of funds is NZD$2,696,020 which is approximately SBD $15.5 million.
The launching also coincided with the opening of first leadership and management training for 18 principals under START program.
By TRIXIE CARTER
