BY LYNTON AARON FILIA
THE Australia Pacific Technical College (APTC) since its establishment 10 years ago has graduated more than 11,000, of whom 1,274 are Solomon Islanders.
Deputy High Commissioner of Australia Mr Michael Hasset announced this during the celebration of APTC’s 10-year anniversary on Tuesday.
Hasset said, “Since establishment of APTC in 2007, more than 11,000 have graduated from across the pacific, and out of this number a total of 1,274 Solomon Islanders have graduated from APTC.
“Over the years APTC has grown its reputation for setting an international benchmark for quality technical training in the Pacific region.
“Within these 10-year in Solomon Islands for instance, the APTC presence has significantly contributed to development of local Technical and Vocational Education and Training sector.”
Hasset also adds that initially APTC provided scholarship for Solomon Islanders to study only at training institutions in other Pacific countries.
“Over the years, this has shifted to APTC delivering high quality training in-country in collaboration with national training institutions, major training providers and private sectors partners,” Hasset said.
Caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said APTC started in Solomon Islands in 2013 and have helped more than 1,200 Solomon Islands women and men improve their employment prospects and productivity at the workplace.
“In fact 80 percent of APTC are Solomon Islands graduates finding employments within six month of their training,” Sogavare said.
“This excellent trade work of APTC graduates employment in communities here in Solomon Islands and Pacific nation speak well of APTC’s quality training that developing skill relevant to labour market demand.”
