The Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) and HOST International held a joint graduation ceremony for 18 graduates in Nauru on 10 December 2018
The graduates received their Australian qualification in Certificate III in Community Services after successfully completing the requirements of the program delivered by APTC.
Out of the 18 graduates, nine are women. The new graduates will help increase the number of qualified local social workers in Nauru.
HOST International, a non-profit organisation that helps refugees and the communities that support them, partnered with APTC, Australia’s flagship Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program, to deliver the program in Nauru. This was to support HOST International’s model of recruiting and training local staff in order to develop enduring social welfare skills within the local community
Nauru’s Acting Education Minister, Aaron Cook, thanked the APTC and Host International for supporting training needs in Nauru.
He encouraged the graduates to utilize their newly found skills and knowledge to make a positive impact in the lives of those they would come in contact with.
“I congratulate you all in this major achievement in your life and for the hard work you’ve put in. You have done exceptionally well.”
Since it began operation in 2007, APTC has trained around 13,000 Pacific Islanders, including almost 150 Nauruan nationals.
In her opening remarks, Australian High Commissioner to Nauru, Angela Tierney, congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to use their skills in their professions.
She also took the opportunity to highlight Australia’s close and longstanding relationship with Nauru, including a strong partnership aimed at delivering better health and education outcomes for Nauruans.
“HOST International is committed to developing the skills of local people in the communities that we work,” Mr David Keegan, CEO of HOST International.
“Training was an opportunity to train local people on the job and to formalise it through a partnership with APTC. We are excited by the contribution that these students will make to Nauru and beyond,” he added.
This was the second APTC graduation in Nauru this year, with the previous one held in February.
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