Education

APTC celebrates students’ success in Samoa

by Sherita Sharma · Published September 25, 2018 · Updated October 1, 2018

A total of 58 elated Samoan nationals received Australian qualifications in 14 different programs, during the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) graduation ceremony on 25 September 2018.

The new graduates at the graduation ceremony in Samoa. Photo credit: APTC

The new graduates join over 1,500 Samoan nationals who have graduated from the APTC – Australia’s flagship technical and vocational education and training (TVET) program in the Pacific region.

The Acting Prime Minister of Samoa, Honourable Afioga Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, congratulated the new graduates on their achievements and urged them to make meaningful contributions to help shape the future of Samoa.

She made special mention of the 32 women who graduated during the ceremony, and thanked them for their hard work and efforts. This included 19 women who were awarded with Certificate III in Education Support.

The graduation also featured Ms Vernice Faamaile, the first Samoan to graduate from APTC’s Certificate III in Applied Fashion Design and Technology program, delivered in Fiji.

The Acting Prime Minister congratulated APTC on entering its third phase, and said the Samoan Government is proud to support APTC’s aspirations for the future.

In the new phase, APTC will continue delivering high quality, internationally recognised training that ensures graduates have improved employment outcomes while expanding its focus to supporting greater investment in skills training and higher quality TVET delivery across the Pacific.

Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Her Excellency, Sara Moriarty said, “on behalf of the Australian Government, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the recent graduates”.

It is humbling to see a significant number of graduates making the most of this opportunity to strengthen their abilities, learn new skillsets and overall change their lives for the better.

The Australian Government has made a commitment to build on its longstanding investment in Pacific skills by strengthening the Pacific vocational training facility.

There is a strong emphasis placed on boosting employment outcomes, addressing skills shortages in the region and strengthening technical and vocational educational training systems in Samoa and Pacific Island countries.

The new graduates received certificates in a range of courses, including Air-conditioning and Refrigeration, Applied Fashion Design and Technology, Carpentry, Commercial Cookery, Education Support, Fabrication Trade, Mechanical Trade – Diesel Fitting, Hospitality, Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology, Plumbing, Tourism, Wall and Floor Tiling, Certificate IV in Business and Training and Assessment, during the graduation.

The Samoa Police Commission, Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture and various organisations within the tourism and hospitality industry had staff graduating in these APTC programs as part of their professional skills development initiatives.

APTC delivers training to citizens of 14 Pacific island countries from its campuses in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.