The Australia Pacific Technical College (APTC) has achieved another milestone in its operations in the country by staging another attractive and colourful graduation yesterday.
The ceremony was conducted at the Pacific Casino Paradise hall in Honiara.
A total of 182 students of both male and female were graduated from eighteen different fields of studies.
Out of the 182 grandaunts, 27 graduated with Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology,22 with Certificate II in construction, 21 with Certificate III in carpentry, 15 with Certificate III in early Childhood and Care, five with Certificate III in Electro – Technology Electrician, 12 with Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade, two with Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade, 17 with Certificate III in Formwork/Flasework , one with Certificate III in Home and Community Care, five with Certificate III in Hospitality , 28 with Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology, 10 with Certificate III in Painting and Decorating, one with Certificate III in Patisserie, five with Certificate III in Plumbing , two with Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling, one with Certificate IV in training and Assessment, eight with Certificate IV in Youth Work and two with Certificate III in engineering – Mechanical Trade.
Speaking during the graduation, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of APTC Denise O’Brian said, the graduation day belongs to the graduating students.
“You have demonstrated courage, hard work and dedication to your learning and as a result you have been awarded an Australian vocational qualification that is recognised nationally and internationally.
“You have made sacrifice to undertake your studies at APTC and we know that of many, you needed to leave your place of work, your family and community for a period of time in order to undertake your studies,” she said.
“We thank your employers and families who have supported you through this time”.
“We trust that you have not only acquired skills and knowledge to equip you well for employment but you have leaved this training experience with new professional friendships and we encourage you to be an active member of your APTC Alumni Chapter and that you promote the APTC with pride,” she added.
“We appreciate that you come to APTC with wealth of experience and as such knowledge that we learn from you. All at APTC thank you for the opportunity to share in your learning.
“We trust that this is just the beginning and that you continue to strive to be the best you can be in your chosen work” he added.
Also presenting at the graduation as the keynote speaker is the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
In his speech to mark the graduation ceremony, Prime Minister Sogavare spoke highly of APTC stating that APTC since its inception eight years ago has educated and graduated over 790 Solomon Islands students.
The Prime Minister said, education remains a high priority of the Solomon Islands Government, but often the needs exceed the Government’s real ability to meet that commitment.
He added that a helping hand from APTC in appropriately skilling and graduating more Solomon Islanders is very welcoming.
The graduation marked the second year of APTC operation in Honiara, since launching its inaugural year of delivery at the Don Bosco Technical Institute.
By Biriau Wilson Saeni
