Young chef gets trade certificate
By ZARA KANU
A YOUNG chef at the Holiday Inn earned himself a trade certificate from the National Apprenticeship and Trade Testing Board (NATTB) last week.
Apprentice Peter Malabag received the certificate after completion of training.
A trade certificate is a proof to employers that the recipient can work in his trade area to competency standards of the industry in PNG.
Peter completed four-year apprenticeship training at the Holiday Inn and underwent two trade testings in Lae during that time.
NATTB chairman Michael Malabag encouraged the private sector to see apprenticeship training as a tool for developing skilled labour force.
“The private sector investment must be seen as a significant contribution to bring the level of education up to a level of skills required to improve performance at the work place,” he added.
“This country cannot grow without the private sector involvement and we all know that the private sector is the key to technological advancements and thus we should encourage private companies to continue to employ Papua New Guineans and equip them with the appropriate level of skills they require to improve performance at the work place,” Mr Malabag said.
As father of the apprentice, Mr Malabag said he was proud of his son’s achievement and this would not have come through without the tireless efforts of the young apprentice.
This year the NATTB will celebrate its 55 years of operations. Over the years, through its apprenticeship training system, it has produced more than 20,000 skilled men and women who are contributing to the country’s development.
Details of tests, competency standards and other information are available at the NATTB information centre, third floor, CDC Haus, McGregor Street, Port Moresby.

PNG literacy rate unsatisfactory: GG at book launch
LITERACY level in Papua New Guinea is unsatisfactory according to Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane.
Sir Paulias said this during the launching of the ‘Introductory Accounting for Papua New Guinea’ book by Panditha Bandara at the University of PNG.
“In fact, adults’ literacy level is just a little over 50%,” he said.
“In a developing nation like PNG, we must improve the literacy level of our people as one cannot survive without being literate,” he added.
Sir Paulias urged educationists to use appropriate text books to educate young Papua New Guineans.
“For a text book to be considered appropriate, it must have three things – it should be suitable for the level of understanding; it should be developed in the national context; and it should address the curriculum objectives,” he said.
“This accounting book has all three features and so qualifies in this respect,” Sir Paulias said.
He said most text books written for other countries were widely used in PNG schools and tertiary institutions but were not suitable as they were written for others with different settings.

Chef wants to teach his trade to brothers
BY ZACHERY PER
YOUNG chef Steven Francis, 29, has made a commitment to impart his skills to his younger brothers back in the village.
From 2003 to 2005 Steven had a three-year stint with Amandi Hotel in Engros Island in Jayapura, Indonesia where he learned the Bahasa language and catering skills.
He said he could prepare Chinese, Asian, European, French, English and Australasian menus at the choice and liking of the paying customers.
After returning from Indonesia in 2006, he worked at Mt Wilhelm Hotel in Kundiawa for five months.
Steven is now a well-recognised chef at the Kundiawa Hotel and has been there for the past two months.
He has a strong ambition to further his education in the hospitality industry at an established hotel or catering company.
Steven said dedication and commitment are vital for the achievement of one’s ambitions and aspirations and added he has a plan to make his brothers in the village become chefs like him one day.
“I have a plan to impart my skills and knowledge to help them find some form of employment in the hospitality industry,” he said.
Steven intends to train his brothers Sani Bolkun, Alex Wagai, Kui Jacob, David Umba and Bik Boi.
The boys including Steven are from Bi village near the banks of the Wagi River close to Kondiu Rosary Secondary School in Kerowagi district, Simbu province.

Academics made Associate Professors
TWO long-serving academic staffmembers at the University of Goroka (UOG) were declared Associate Professors last Friday.
They are acting Pro Vice-Chancellor (administration) Michael Mel and Api Maha. The declaration, made by UOG acting Chancellor Simon Kenehe, coincided with the launching of the UOG Corporate Plan for 2008 – 2012 at the campus.
Mr Kenehe said the appointment was the first of its kind made internally by the university council and it marked an important event in the annals of the university.
“These two gentlemen have worked very hard to earn this title and the university council at its March 14 meeting approved their application to the new post,” he added.
He said the council made the appointment in consideration of their outstanding service to the university and the Government according to the promotional criteria.
Mr Kenehe said evidences provided by their respective faculties and reports provided by their internal and external supervisors were also considered before the appointment.
Dr Mel was appointed in recognition of his contribution to arts and culture while Dr Maha’s appointment came due to his contribution to education.

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Trade skills impartment...
(From left) NATTB acting director Meli Kivung, board member Noel Lapu, chairman Michael Malabag, apprentice Peter Malabag, Holiday Inn human resources manager Donna Terringi and board member Willie Kellis during the presentation of the trade certificate to Peter.