Apprenticeship programme underway

THREE women are among 13 students who will be undergoing a four-year apprenticeship programme with the Works Department in Port Moresby.
Works’ human resource director Michael Sula said 5000 applied for the 13 spots when the recruitment process started in 2016. Sula, during a welcome ceremony for the trainees on Friday, said its usual intake was 20 but the
department only accepted 13 applicants due to lack of funds.
He plans to increase the intake when more funds were available.
Sula said the lack of funds also delayed the start of the apprenticeship programme in 2016 to this year.
He said when the government gave the okay for the Plant and Transport Division to return as a revenue earning entity for the department, the apprenticeship programme was also reintroduced.
“We started the programme in 2010 with recruitment of 19 students and between 2011 and 2015 we got another 55,” Sula said.
“There are a lot of gaps in the technical fields where industries and now recruiting experts from outside to do the basic things that we can do therefore this government initiative programme, is to address the shortage of expertise within the country.”
He thanked the management through the Plant and Transport Division to Human Resource Department to ensure the programme was running efficiently.
“We expect the best from you all and hope you learn and equip yourselves with the necessary skills needed and to do your best within the time given,” Sula said.
Holitha Yalamu, on behalf of the apprentices, thanked the department for the opportunity.