APTC Students Celebrate Achievement In Kiribati

Twenty Kiribati nationals proudly graduated with certificates in 10 different technical and vocational programs from the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) at a graduation ceremony in Kiribati, on 30 August, 2017.
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 workers across the Pacific region.
Since its establishment in 2007, more than 400 Kiribati nationals, including 162 women have graduated with an Australian qualification from APTC.
In his keynote address, Minister for Labour and Human Resources Development, Mr Ioteba Redfern congratulated the graduates on their achievements and encouraged them to share their APTC skills in the workplace and their communities.
Mr Redfern also acknowledged the support of the Australian Government in providing skills and training for Kiribati people through APTC.
APTC also continues to partner with government and national training provider, Kiribati Institute of Technology (KIT), which provides Kiribati nationals the opportunity to gain a pathway from KIT to further their studies at APTC and upskill themselves with Australian-standard qualifications. The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has supported KIT since 2011, including through the $17m AUD Skills for Employment Program which will run until at least 2020.
The graduates, who completed their studies in Carpentry, Fabrication, Hospitality, Individual Support, Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology, Painting and Decorating, Plumbing, Community Development, Training and Assessment and Youth Work at APTC campuses in Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Samoa.
Seven women were awarded qualifications at this ceremony. This included two women who graduated with trades certificates – Certificate III in Painting and Decorating and Certificate III in Carpentry.
The graduating class also included Mr Ioakim Tanentoa, one of 25 pioneer students of APTC’s Master Trainer program from across the region, and the only student from Kiribati who graduated with two qualifications – Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
The 26-year-old will now be able to work and train others in the automotive industry to an Australian standard.
This was the 12th APTC graduation in Kiribati.
2017 marks the 10-year Anniversary of the APTC project.
For more information, please contact the APTC Promotion and Communication Team on email: media@aptc.edu.au
or sherita.sharma@aptc.edu.au; phone: +679 702 1819.
APTC is supported by the Australian Government and managed by TAFE Queensland (RTO 0275)
 
(Source: APTC Media Release 31 August 2017)