Home News Revived National Apprenticeship Training Program reopens at SINU

Revived National Apprenticeship Training Program reopens at SINU

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The revived National Apprenticeship Training (NAT) Program was successfully launched at the Kukum Campus of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) last week.

The NAT is a four years program operating on a dual system, a blended combination of a classroom-based and an employment-based training.

NAT has three main partners where the government plays the role as the regulator, SINU as the classroom training provider and the industries/companies as employment training providers.

In the event representatives of the three partners pledged their support to recommit themselves with a desire to re-engage and support the provision of technical vocational education training and manpower development for the country.

The event coincides with the welcoming of the first 102 new Apprentices that will attend the NAT program starting in semester-two of this year. This comprised of 20 Apprentices each for the five trades of Electrical, Building and Construction, Light Motor Mechanics, Plumbing and Allied Trades and Heavy Plant Mechanic.  Ten Percent (10%) of the recruited Apprentices are females.

 NAT program started in 1975 until 2018 when its Labour Apprenticeship Board paused the training purposely to improve certain strategic areas and revitalization of its partners and stakeholders. The theme for the event ‘building partnership to enhance quality apprenticeship training’ reflect the reconnection of training partners after almost five years of inactiveness.

This was echoed by the quest speaker and the Minister of Commerce Industries Labour and Immigration (MCILI), Hon Harry Kuma when he emphasized the need for quality training deliveries when stated that “through partnerships forged between employers, training providers, and apprentices, we can cultivate a culture of excellence, professionalism, and continuous learning that is essential for our nation’s prosperity”

Honourable Harry Kuma further called for collaborations with every partner that “as we mark the re-opening of this training program, let us reaffirm our dedication to building strong partnerships that enhance the quality of apprenticeship training.

By working together, we can create a sustainable framework that nurtures talent, promotes inclusivity, and ensures that our workforce remains competitive and adaptable in an ever-changing global landscape”.

As an invited quest and the representative of the industries, Member of Parliament Honourable George Temahua spoke highly of apprenticeship training when in his own words stated that ‘this program provided me with the foundation upon which I built my career, before venturing into business, and now as a national leader in politics as a Member of Parliament. It is, therefore, my heartfelt commitment to support and advocate for improvements that will ensure our apprentices receive the best possible training available” He further request the support of the industries uttering “I kindly urge all Industry Employers to open up for our SINU apprentices for placement into their respective companies to offer practical work experience needed for our apprentices to complete the training required to become a Qualified Trades Person.

The Commissioner of Labour Mr Brown Pwai and the Chairman of the Apprenticeship Board Mr Atu Balekana both thanked SINU and its management with the industries for seen it fitting to accept the return of the training program and urged everyone involved to continue working together so that apprentices received every training to fully equipped themselves for the real world of work out there waiting.

Both spent a good time of their speech encouraging the Apprentices to utilized the golden opportunity and that their future to evolve lays in their hands.

The SINU Vice-Chanceller Professor Transform Aqorau during his speech emphasized the role of SINU when he stated ‘This re-opening herald a new era for SINU, where our commitment to continually enhancing our offerings takes center stage.

He further stressed that “The re-engagement of the NAT programme at SINU is not simply a continuation of past efforts, but rather a vibrant rejuvenation and elevation of vocational training. This initiative is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering education and training of the highest calibre, meeting both national and international standards”

The VC further request the government to support the institution with modern training resources saying “I would like to make a heartfelt appeal to the Honourable Minister to champion our cause for fully equipping this programme with the latest, cutting-edge tools and technology.

It is untenable to expect our apprentices to master 2024 methods with equipment that hails from a bygone era. The true strength of our partnership lies in recognizing and addressing the urgent need to modernize our entire array of training resources”.

A representative of the Apprentices Mrs Mary Tino gave a heartful thank you on behalf of her colleagues to the SIG in particular the MCILI for the sponsorship and the opportunity provided for them.

She thanked SINU for the training they will receive and the industries for their acceptance to assist with the practical training. She thanked their parents/guardians and look forward for their continues support and understanding while doing the training.

Moreover, the Minister for MCILI announced that there will be an additional 100 Apprentices by January 2025 to be sponsored by MCILI which include Tuition fees, fortnightly allowance, lunch and OHS wears/uniforms.

ENDS///

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