BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
A former educationist now serving as a consultant at the Ministry of Education and Human Resources says the long-term solution to unemployment in the country lies in technical skills development rather than academic qualifications alone.
Clement Tito made the statement while delivering his keynote address during a graduation ceremony at Tabaka Technical Institute on Thursday November 27, 2025.
He said there is a growing disparity between the number of young people seeking employment and the limited availability of job opportunities, calling for urgent strategies to better prepare the younger generation for decent work.
“As we celebrate today, we must face the realities of our national situation. If we look at the statistics, 91.7 percent of Solomon Islanders are currently unemployed, leaving only 9.3 percent in formal employment,” Tito said.
He added that the national school dropout rate now stands at 53.7 percent, meaning more than half of the country’s young people do not complete their basic or secondary education.
“Our economic growth remains modest and vulnerable. These are numbers of a wake-up call,” Tito said.
According to Tito, these figures clearly show the urgent need for the country to redirect its education priorities away from a purely academic focus towards technical and vocational training.
He stressed that technical education and skills development offer immediate pathways to employment, small business creation, community service and participation in national development projects.
“The solution to unemployment is not office jobs.
“Today we celebrate more than certificates and completed courses – we celebrate skills, competence and the ability to contribute meaningfully to national development. Technical education is not just another pathway. It is the engine room of productivity, innovation and employment creation,” Tito said.
He said strengthening technical training institutions across Solomon Islands is critical if the nation is to address unemployment and empower young people with practical, market-driven skills.
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