Graduates win praise after leadership, management training

By JOYCE INGIPA and ERIC PIET
TWENTY-two participants who underwent a leadership and management course under the technical and vocational education and training (Tvet) programme graduated with diplomas on Friday in Port Moresby.
The first-secretary of education at the Australian High Commission, Fuchsia Hepworth, commended the participants.
“I am very honoured to be here to represent the Australian government and to witness this occasion”, she said. The programme, consisting was facilitated by International Education Agency (IEA) College of Technical and Further Education (TAFE) through the PNG–Australia partnership.
Hepworth said it was an important time for PNG to boost training in Tvet.
She said the training was an initiative of the Department of Education and supported by the Australian government under the PNG-Australia partnership.
It was launched in 2017.
Hepworth said the leadership and management training would enable the 22 participants from 11 technical schools across PNG to use critical and creative thinking in the workforce to solve problems.
She said the course was aimed at elevating the skills and confidence of the participants to provide leadership in the delivery of national vocational training programmes.
“I acknowledge the important work done in remote areas by the graduates”, Hepworth said.
She made special mention of the seven female graduates, whose graduation fell on National Women’s Day.
Hepworth commended them for their hard work towards building the human resource of Papua New Guinea.
“Women are likely to enter the workforce if they see women leaders,” she said.
Education deputy secretary Wini Leka said the training had elevated participants to new heights by giving them confidence to provide leadership in the delivery of Tvet programmes.
He said they contribute to development of a skilled workforce for PNG.
“We thank the Australian government for contributing to building a skilled workforce for economic growth in the country,” Leka said.
“This programme is the first of its kind and the 22 course participants will be highly recognised in our region as well as in Australia.
“Every person born in this country has a right to live and be educated, as such, you are to provide quality skills training for those that come your way.
“As managers you should know what to delegate and what not to.
“Whatever your position requires you to do, bear in mind that you are doing it to build this nation.”