MP vows compulsory training for school leavers

People lining to have their applications screened by a private company during a walk-in interview in Port Moresby in January. People’s National Congress (PNC) party leader Peter O’Neill says that PNC has set targets like creating 500,000 jobs for people. – Nationalfilepic

By AILEEN KWARAGU
A COMPULSORY national service would be developed for grade 12 school leavers to train and prepare for the future if People’s National Congress (PNC) party forms government, party leader and Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill says.
O’Neill said PNC would build colleges as semi-military bases to train and improve students’ knowledge and skills.
The former prime minister said the service was to create an avenue for young people to make something of themselves rather than involving themselves in petty crimes and to get students engaged as part of solving law and order issues.
Talking on FM100 Talkback Show yesterday, O’Neill said they also intended to create more spaces for students entering colleges and universities.
“We will try to improve on creating opportunities for the young people by improving on skill training and increasing infrastructure in universities and colleges.”
O’Neill said setting targets like creating 500,000 jobs for the people was better than accepting the status quo.
He said PNC party policies for the 2022 general election were people-focused and deliverable based on improving standards of living.