A TOTAL of 154 Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) students graduated on Thursday after successfully completing their vocational training programs.
The graduation ceremony was held at the South Sea’s Evangelical Church Hall in Central Honiara.
These graduates received certificates after completing programs in Agriculture, Construction, Hospitality, Carpentry, Commercial Cooking and International Skills.
The number of graduates and courses they were awarded certificates are as follows:
- 14 males and six females graduated with Certificate in Agriculture;
- One male and 17 females with Certificate in Carpentry;
- 19 females with Certificate II in Hospitality;
- One female graduated with Certificate II in Carpentry;
- Two females with certificate II in Commercial Cookery;
- Two females graduated with certificate in Hospitality; and
- 61 males and 30 females graduated with certificate in International Skills training.
Minister for Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), Tozen Leokana, in his keynote address, expressed gratitude that the Australian Government has contributed immensely to training through APTC for more than 6,500 Solomon Islanders.
He also congratulated the class of 2024 APTC graduates who have earned Australian standard qualifications, which are internationally-recognized, and wished them the best of luck in their future careers.
The Australian Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Schloeffel also congratulated the graduates, saying that the graduation was to recognize their commitments and sacrifices they paid to earn their qualifications.
Mr Schloeffel also took the opportunity to underscore Australia’s commitment toward providing job opportunities for Solomon Islanders and drive economic growth in the country.
“Our flagship program in APTC has been operating here since 2007 and we are still going strong. As has been mentioned, to date over 6,588 Solomon Islanders have graduated from the APTC with a certificate qualification in automative, manufacturing, construction, electrical, tourism and hospitality, education, management and health,” Mr Schloeffel said.
Mr Schloeffel said Australia awarded a total of 494 fully funded Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) scholarships for Solomon Islands students this year to help enable them secure employment.
He added that Australia is working to get even more scholarships for Solomon Islanders in the years to come.
By AGNES MENANOPO
Solomon Star, Honiara
