The Solomon Islands Acting High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mr. William Soaki was among guests invited to attend the 5th anniversary celebrations of Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) in Port Moresby.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion included the Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Mr Ian Kemish, representatives from AusAID, business-training partners and representatives from the PNG government.During the celebrations, trade-skills displays were put on by 60 APTC students and the guests were given the opportunity to view the campus and its training facilities.
The APTC in Port Moresby has trained over 900 PNG graduates in fields ranging from Tourism and Hospitality, Health, Community Services, and Trades and Technology.
APTC and its partners provide targeted training in areas of critical trade skills shortages in the Pacific including Solomon Islands.
Upon completion of the various programs, the graduates with Australian recognized trade and service qualifications can work in a wide range of vocational careers throughout the Pacific.
Currently APTC has training centers in Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and PNG that offer Australian-standard skills and qualifications.
To mark the five year milestone, Mr Kemish and Mr Soaki were given the honor to unveil a commemorative plaque at the college.
The plaque reflects the acknowledgement of the commitment and dedication of all stakeholders to workforce development in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific region.
It was understood that APTC is working on setting up a centre in Honiara in the near future.
Acting High Commissioner Soaki later met with Solomon Islands students attending the college where he personally thanks them for their fine achievements.
He further encouraged them to acquire the knowledge they attain and return to positively develop Solomon Islands.
Source: Press Release, Government Communications Unit