APTC-SINU partnership to benefit Solomon Islanders

From left, Solomon Islands National University pro vice chancellor (academic) professor Basil Marasinghe, APTC chief executive officer Denise O’Brien, SINU vice chancellor Dr. Glynn Galo, counselor-Human Development, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Melissa Stutsel, and team leader, Skills For Economic Growth Project, Barry Peddle. (Contributed Photo)

The Australia-Pacific Technical College has signed a partnership agreement with the Solomon Islands National University for the delivery of hospitality programs.

A key benefit of the partnership is that more Solomon Islanders will have direct access to Certificate III in Hospitality – Accommodation Services qualifications from next year.

APTC is an innovative development project funded by the Australian government, delivering Australian skills and qualifications for a wide range of vocational careers for skilled Pacific workers.

APTC chief executive officer Denise O’Brien said, “We welcome the opportunity to partner with SINU in the delivery of qualifications that will ultimately support Solomon Islanders to gain the skills that support the fast growing tourism and hospitality sector. We look forward to working with the team at SINU to upskill trainers and develop infrastructure at the university.”

SINU vice chancellor Dr. Glynn Galo has welcomed the partnership, which he says aligns with SINU’s objective to improve the quality and relevance of its trade program delivery through investments in teacher capacity development, curriculum and learning materials and infrastructure.

The partnership also paves the way for a study pathway for Solomon Islanders from local training provider Don Bosco Technical Institute to gain higher qualifications at SINU.

Students of the Certificate II in Hospitality program, which is currently delivered by APTC and DBTI, will be given the opportunity to undertake the Certificate III in Hospitality program at the SINU School of Business and Management when they have completed six months of work placement next semester.

APTC is working toward an additional partnership with SINU in collaboration with Australia’s bilateral program, the Solomon Islands Skills for Economic Growth program to support the delivery of skills and qualifications for the automotive industry in Solomon Islands. APTC will work with the Solomon Islands Skills for Economic Growth project to combine their resources to deliver an institutional strengthening program for SINU.

These initiatives complement efforts by the Australian government to support SINU to develop the quality, quantity and relevance of skills training to improve employment opportunities, and the productivity of the private sector in Solomon Islands.

The APTC Certificate III in Light Vehicle Technology program will also continue to be made available to Solomon Island citizens as a scholarship program to APTC campuses in Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

Both programs will be made available to existing workers in the industry. The first cohort of students will commence classes in January 2017. (APTC)