Industry must back training

By GABRIEL LAHOC
WHILE vocational education and training play an important role to prepare and train young Papua New Guineans for the workplace, it should be backed up by the industries, International Education Agency’s Technical and Further Education (TAFE) manager Philip Oakley said last week,
Addressing the graduation of 230 Coronation TAFE College students in Lae last Friday, Oakley said about 50% of the PNG population was aged under-21 years old and 90% of Grade 12 school leavers did not go on to university or were offered opportunities in the formal employment  sector.
But industries needed to drive the education and training, he said.
TAFE’s concept has had a lot of success in developing young Papua New Guineans into highly qualified professionals since the first programmes were introduced seven years ago, Oakley said.
It was now offering a wide variety of programmes from certificate level two to advanced diploma.
As part of its success, IEA TAFE was recognised by Certified Practicing Accountants of PNG (CPA-PNG) two weeks ago.
It has also provided a comprehensive proposal to the Office of Higher Education (OHE) to have university accreditation recognised for its diploma and advance diploma programmes.
“Industry tells us what courses and training they want for their future employees,” Oakley said, acknowledging  various industries for their guidance.
In Australia, TAFE provide vocational tertiary education courses under Australian quality training framework covering different fields.
In Papua New Guinea, TAFE colleges were owned and operated by IEA and financed by parents and sponsors.
Oakley said 640 students graduated in 2011 and more than 900 this year from which 230 passed out from the Coronation College in Lae.
“But it is not just about the numbers.
“It is all about the quality of training raising the likelihood of employment outcomes.
“Quality training means top graduates resulting in good employment outcomes,” he said.
IEA TAFE did not receive any external funding.
 Parents and students pay for their courses mainly.
“The product of 230 students graduating today is the result of community support and recognition of IEA TAFE programmes, combined with a highly qualified and very dedicated team of professional trainers and support staff,” Oakley said.
He said IEA TAFE had a sound partnership with TAFE Australia through the Kangan Institute of TAFE in Victoria and adhered to their rigid auditing.
“This means all qualifications delivered by IEA TAFE are of the same standard as that of a student studying TAFE courses in Australia, in addition to the PNG National Training Council qualification which we offer to every student.
“Students can now opt to also receive an Australian TAFE qualification through our partnership with Kangan,” Oakley said.
“I am pleased to advise that we have passed these audits with flying colours.
“The important thing here is that the course delivery is the same, whether the student is studying for the PNG or Australian qualification,” he said.
IEA TAFE’s success, he said, would always be measured by the number of employment outcomes of its graduates.