Australia Pacific Technical College: A Decade Of Great Achievement

Approximately 105 students will be graduating from the Australian Pacific Technical College (APTC) today, Thursday 12th April 2018.

These graduating students will be awarded the following certificates: Certificate IV in Youth Work; Certificate III in Carpentry; Certificate III in Commercial Cookery; Certificate III in Community Services; Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care; Certificate III in Education Support; Certificate III in Engineering-Mechanical Trade; Certificate III in Tourism; Certificate IV in Leadership and Management; Certificate III in Hospitality; Certificate III in light Vehicle Mechanical Technology; and Certificate III in Plumbing.

Interestingly, approximately 49% or approximately 50 of the graduates today are women.

2018 is a special year for the APTC because it marks ten years of operation. Approximately 1800 Ni-Vanuatu men and women have graduated from APTC since 2008.

There has been an increased number of women graduates since its establishment in Vanuatu. The 2018 graduation will see approximately 49% are women.

However, there are still challenges in terms of gender equality. Sometimes local perceptions tend to push gender to the feminist side of the table. But gender equates both male and female sexes.

After ten solid years, APTC has provided an avenue for acknowledging the role of gender in development. Women are taking up roles that were usually dominated by men. With the trainings and the programs of studies provided, more women will be able to step up and assume leadership roles in their respective professions. One of the evident issue relative to Gender Equality in Vanuatu is that appointments are not made on merit, but on personal interests.

Appointment into offices must be done by merit and not on personal interest. Subsequently, more qualified men and women would be able to take up leadership roles. This is a serious issue that must be addressed.

APTC courses are for people who have significant prior industry experience in the area in which they wish to train, and/or have a local qualification and more limited relevant industry experience in the area in which they wish to train. There are also challenges for students. For full time students coming from the islands, it was sometimes difficult to leave their families back in the islands to pursue their studies. For students who work and study at the same time, the pressure is to attend to official duties concurrently.

Despite all the challenges, students were determined and focused to complete the programs by completing the requirements of the different programs.

The APTC is a centre of training excellence, helping students gain Australian-standard skills and qualifications for a wide range of vocational careers throughout the Pacific. The Australian Government is acknowledged for bringing the internationally recognised skills training to the doorstep of the region.

11 years ago, this opportunity was non-existent.

There is a very strong working relationship between APTC and industry representatives around the Pacific. This ensures the training programs are relevant and aligned with current career opportunities of graduates and careers where skilled employees are in high demand.

In addition to training for individuals, APTC offers employers customised training and consultancy services in targeted industry sectors to increase the productivity of their employees and the organisation.

APTC students have demonstrated courage, leadership and learning as well as dedication to their studies as well as being very productive in their respective fields of profession.

Receiving their certificates today is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a journey. Be encouraged to be great promoters of APTC with pride and be active members of the APTC Alumni, as well as good representatives of APTC in your work places.

Another aspect of learning that is usually ignored is the fact that a student and the lecturers learn from each other due to their wealth of experience and by acknowledging each other. It is hoped that during the course of the 10 years, standards have been set and reviewed so that in future, courses or programs are developed to be conducive to Vanuatu and the regional context.

Learning is a lifelong journey. Success is subjective and it can be achieved only through personal commitment and passion. So in whatever you do, be honest to yourself, work hard and serve with pride.

Wishing you all well on your graduation and for the future.

(Source: Vanuatu Daily Post 12 April 2018)

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