Boost for school leavers

 THE Highlands Youth Training and Rehabilitation College in Banz, Jiwaka, is providing school leavers the chance to further their education through skills training.

The college offers certificate and diploma in sales and marketing, advanced accounting and computing, information technology, business management, business administration, office management, tourism and hospitality.

College director Michael Goro said the institution had trained more than 8000 school leavers in the past 14 years and most were now employed.

Goro said the skills courses were complemented by youth rehabilitation programmes include sports, music, HIV/AIDS, home care, peer education and the negative effects of drug and alcohol. 

“This is to groom and shape the mindsets of youths to become law-abiding citizens following by Christian principles,” Goro said.

In 2009, the college opened branches in Mendi, Southern Highlands, Goroka and Kainantu in Eastern Highlands, Simbai in Walium and Redscar, Madang, Lae and Wau, Morobe, Maprik in East Sepik, Vanimo in Sandaun, Kimbe in West New Britain, Buka in Bougainville and Port Moresby.

He said national development was measured by how well citizens were educated and equipped with essential skills to deliver desired outcomes.