Thursday, September 26, 2013

Govts address labour shortage

Post Courier 

 





Papua New Guinea and Australia have opened upgraded technical training facilities in Mt Hagen that will produce more skilled workers to address the significant shortage of labour for PNG’s growing economy.
The upgrades to Mt Hagen Technical College included a new, fully-equipped diesel heavy equipment fitting workshop for teaching motor skills trades, separate male and female 48-bed student dormitories and six teacher accommodation units.
The K9.7 million project was delivered as a partnership between the government of PNG, Mt Hagen Technical College and the Australian government’s Incentive Fund.
Mount Hagen Technical College principal Henry Mambil said the facilities meant the college could expand enrolments from 600 up to 700 and recruit more skilled teachers.
“This is a very big improvement and development for the college since independence,” he said.
Governing council chairman, Pais Mark thanked the government and people of Australia and said the buildings were a monumental development for technical and vocational education in Mt Hagen.
“These developments are the greatest gift and will linger as some of the college’s greatest achievements while I have been serving 38 years as the chairman,” Mr Mark said.
Speaking at the official opening on September 11, the head of Australian aid in PNG Stuart Schaefer credited the college leaders and community for their hard work meeting the stringent criteria for incentive fund support.
“Australia is proud to back this high performing PNG government institution,” Mr Schaefer said.
“The college has a proven track record in contributing to PNG’s development and a strong commitment to gender equality and equal rights for every student.”
The college has produced an estimated 10,000 graduates in over 30 years and expanding will help meet the PNG government’s Vision 2050 agenda for producing more skilled PNG workers.
Mr Schaefer said the Incentive Fund is a sign of the strong partnership for development between the governments of PNG and Australia.
“PNG agrees and approves the priorities for Australian aid,” Mr Schaefer said.
 

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