Rev. Seilala Luamanuvae
Ministers of Cabinet
Members of the Parliament
Ms Claire McGeechan, Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Samoa
Chief Executive Officers of Government Agencies and Private Sectors
Nicki Baird, APTC Interim Executive Director
Lagaaia Lealiifano Easter Manila-Silipa, APTC Country Director for Samoa and Tonga
Graduates
Esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen
Talofa lava and a very good morning to you all
On behalf of the Government of Samoa, I am delighted to invited as the keynote speaker for the APTC Samoa Graduation Ceremony.
I would like to begin by congratulating each and every one of the graduates on the cerebration of their achievements. You have worked hard to earn your Australian standard qualifications in various vocational areas, and you should be proud of what you have accomplished.
Today, 217 Samoan women and men will be awarded qualifications in 15 different vocational programs such as Construction, Plumbing, Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways, Commercial Cookery, Hospitality, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration, Electro-technology Technician, Engineering – Fabrication Trade, Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology, Applied Fashion Design and Technology, Education Support, Community Services, Tourism, International Skills Training, and Leadership & Management.
To all the graduands, as your Minister for Education, Sports and Culture, I wish to convey the Government’s sincere congratulations on your achievements.
I am confident that the APTC has appropriately equipped you to put your new qualifications and skills into practice as part of Samoa’s growing workforce.
Some of you received your training virtually and away from home at other APTC campuses around the region. Your determination and efforts to get a qualification while navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic is indeed admirable.
I also wish to acknowledge your employers, families, friends and trainers for continuously providing support and encouragement during your learning journey with the APTC.
We also have graduands here today from key government organisations and ministries, such as the staff from the Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services; the Samoa Tourism Authority; SQA; NUS; Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Labour; Public Service Commission; Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries; Samoa Water Authority; Electric Power Corporation; and from the Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment.
The Samoan Government believes in investing in the development of its human resource as this can enhance service delivery for all Samoans. I would like to thank you for your commitment to your studies.
A key highlight of today’s graduation is that we have around 100 women who have successfully completed their technical and vocational programs. Seven of these women are graduating in construction and plumbing.
Well done to our women graduates. You are role models for other women who may want to take up a similar career pathway. I am sure you will use your qualifications to contribute to the socio-economic development of our communities.
Education is a priority for the Samoan Government and is a key driver of social and economic development.
The Education Ministry has implemented a number of policies such as the Samoa Education Sector Plan 2019-2024 to help improve access to education and enhance quality of teaching and learning at all levels in Samoa.
The Samoa Education Sector Plan is a key part of the Samoan Government’s commitment to providing access to quality education and training for all Samoan citizens, regardless of their socio-economic background.
Gaining new skills and knowledge plays an important part in ensuring our people can continue to access new opportunities, increase their employability, and contribute to national development.
The Samoa Government through my Ministry is pleased to work with the Australian Government to provide a quality and holistic education system that helps Samoans fulfil their potential.
I acknowledge Australia’s support for the national Post School Education and Training (PSET) sector that is enabling Samoans to gain high standard qualifications and valuable training for improved employment and better livelihoods.
Programs like APTC have provided over 2,200 Samoans, of whom more than 49 percent are women; have gained skills for various vocational careers. These graduates are part of the growing number of 18,000 plus graduates that APTC has trained across the region since 2007.
I must say, I am pleased with the way APTC is working with the Samoa Qualifications Authority, which is the national body for coordinating PSET, under the Education Ministry.
Both APTC and SQA are collaborating to improve the quality and access to TVET as well as greater capacity to support gender equity, disability and social inclusion within the country’s TVET landscape.
APTC is also working with the National University of Samoa (NUS) to contribute to the outcomes in the Education Sector Plan to ensure that TVET programs are relevant to national needs and meet the demands of the local and international labour markets. The focus is to improve the quality of our graduates and their employability.
The approach to working together is strongly recommended by the Samoa Government.
Working with local partners and stakeholders mean that we can bring together our collective expertise and amplify our results to ensure sustainable outcomes for Samoa’s growth and prosperity.
Congratulations to our graduands once again. Your commitment to pursuing TVET programs is a testament to your determination to succeed in life. You have acquired the skills and knowledge that will help you to make a valuable contribution to our society, and I encourage you to use these skills to support the development of our country.
Continue to be great ambassadors, and always be hungry for learning and growing – both personally and professionally.
You all are important to the many sectors in our national economy that supports COVID-19 recovery.
I wish to acknowledge Australia’s support and collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture in Samoa. Let us continue to work together to build a brighter future for our people and our country.
Best wishes to the graduates in your future endeavors.
Fa’afetai tele lava, Soifua ma ia manuia !
