It was an exciting time for the Australia Awards, Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme (PALM) and Australian Volunteers Program as they support athletes from the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS) to learn about study and career opportunities.
The expo’s theme - “Creating New Pathways” - recognises the need for SINIS to support the 85 per cent of its 1200 athletes across the country who are unemployed, have no formal work experience and often low formal education levels.
The Australian Global Alumni met with athletes at the expo to share their best Australian Awards Scholarship applications advice and encouraged those interested to consider applying to study in Australia through an Australia Awards Scholarship.
The labour mobility team provides awareness during the expo as an Australians and Solomon Islanders commitment in supporting the Solomon Islands flag to achieve its labour mobility targets of 5,500 workers by 2023 and 10,000 by 2025.
The AVP also supported the expo through volunteer sports specialists promoting the SINIS program. Under the AVP, currently there are 12 volunteers working in the Sports, Education and Health spaces.
“SINIS promotes a holistic development approach towards athletes and coaches. Encouraging a dual career, meaning having sport aspirations along with career, employment and education goals is a key part of our work. Sustained success comes from when athletes’ wellbeing enables performance,” said Aaron Alsop, Executive Director of High Performance at SINIS.
The Australian Alumni Graduates are graduates who have gained important networks, skills, knowledge, and world class qualifications through an Australia Awards Scholarship or other Australian government study program.
Since 2006, Australia has supported almost 500 Solomon Islanders to achieve university qualifications under Australia Awards. For more information on Australia Awards, please visit www.australiaawards.gov.au
Source: Press Release, Australian High Commission, Honiara