THE Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labor and Immigration (MCILI) through its Labor Division has successfully conducted its Apprenticeship Traineeship Policy Consultation workshop in Honiara on Friday.
The workshop was convened at the South Seas Evangelical Church (SSEC) Hall in Central Honiara.
The Apprenticeship Traineeship Policy Consultation workshop brought together relevant stakeholders from various government ministries and agencies, Non-Government Organizations and other institutions for dialogue on the way forward for the implementation of the National Apprenticeship Traineeship Policy as recommended by the International Labor Organization (ILO) for every member country.
The aim of the Apprenticeship Traineeship policy is to train the workforce of the country to contribute positively to national development.
MCILI Permanent Secretary Riley Mesepitu said the Apprenticeship Traineeship Policy is in line with the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) Policy Statement 6.2.4 (1) to develop an Apprenticeship Policy that is aligned to Solomon Islands National Development Strategy 2016 – 2035 and the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
“The comprehensive development of Solomon Islands Human Resource with its skills aptitude is crucial for ensuring employability and the ability to fill all levels of trades skills and management goals. This development is essential to keep pace with regional and global labor requirements.”
“Sustaining and growing the skills and competencies of the workforce and adapting to technologies and technological changes is equally important,” he said.
PS Mesepitu said the apprenticeship traineeship program is designed to offer teaching and mentoring leadership in line with labor market demands, making sure their proficiency stays up-to-date and is supported by a strong knowledge and skills.
Commissioner of Labor David Kaumae thanked everyone who attended the workshop and emphasized that the program marked an important milestone for stakeholders in Honiara and in Guadalcanal Province.
According to discussions at the workshop, the Apprenticeship Traineeship Policy is planned to be implemented in schools in the form of a trades and work-based curriculum that will be incorporated into the normal curriculum. The implementation of the proposed dual curriculum in schools is the reason for the convening of the workshop and MCILI is ambitious about its implementation.
Research conducted in the country shows that from the stages of education from Primary to Tertiary and Work, only a few were able to make it to the top and so the division wants to improve on this.
The discussions at the workshop focussed on ways the national government can create more job opportunities in accordance to the GNUT Policy and about creating a National Training Institution apart from the Solomon Islands National University and Rural Training Centers SINU as per the Apprenticeship Traineeship Policy.
The Apprenticeship Traineeship Policy consultative workshop was funded by Solomon Islands Government and the policy will be implemented in all schools across the country.
By IAN LADDS OSO
Solomon Star, Honiara
