At yesterday's (Thursday) launch of the Pacific Australia Skills in Papua New Guinea program, the Australian Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency, Mr. Ewan McDonald emphasized that skills training and employment are central to Papua New Guinea's economic growth, workforce development and long-term resilience.
As demand for skilled workers is increasing in Papua New Guinea, Pacific Australia Skills works with Papua New Guinean partners to strengthen pathways between training and employment, ensuring skills development is practical, relevant and connected to industry demands.
It is a locally led approach to ensure the training supports Papua New Guinea's broader development priorities and creates opportunities for inclusive economic participation.
The current and emerging areas of collaboration is based on:
- Strengthening national skills and training systems and providers,
- Supporting nationally recognized qualifications and locally relevant training pathways,
- Delivering in-demand, employment-focused training through local, regional and Australian providers,
- Improving links between training, industry and employment,
- Supporting workforce linked to Australian Government investments such as the PALM scheme,
- Supporting inclusive skills development for women, youth and people with disabilities, and
- Strengthening regional learning, collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Even though Pacific Australia Skills in Papua New Guinea was just launched, it is already supporting practical training and workforce development activities across Papua New Guinea, including:
- Delivering work health and safety, and safeguarding training for Kimbe Wharf construction workers, in partnership with the AIFFP,
- Strengthening skills for Meri Tradies, which supports women in non-traditional trades such as welding, carpentry and automotive among others,
- Providing meat works pre-departure training linked to PALM scheme employment opportunities,
- Upskilling instructors from Bougainville Technical College in automotive training, and
- Providing hospitality and cookery training for workers in hotels and companies.
The current activities focus on partnerships, sector strengthening, short courses, micro-credentials, and non-accredited training. Longer Certificate-level courses will be introduced where they align with Papua New Guinea's priorities and workforce demand.
Pacific Australia Skills will also be supporting Papua New Guinea's first ever National Skills Competition, planned for November, to celebrate Papua New Guinea's excellence in TVET to inspire the next generation of skilled workers.
