Paradise Foods helps people become electricians and mechanics

Youth & Careers

Paradise Foods Ltd factory manager Fenton Parkes says the company has been a strong supporter of the Apprenticeship Trade Testing Board’s programme for over 15 years.
He was speaking at the presentation of trade certificates to five apprentices who served their apprenticeship from May 26, 2014, to May 25 this year.
They are Kila Leva (refrigeration mechanic), Isidor Pengines and Richard Pahun (maintenance fitting and machining), and Jubilee Makori and Morgan Tau Moia (electrical mechanic).
“We have produced from this programme over 50 electricians and fitter machinists, and one refrigeration mechanic,” Parkes said.
“Aside from the final-year apprentices who will be receiving their certificates today, we have a total of seven first-year apprentices here in the Port Moresby factory and four in the Lae factory.
“We also have a third-year refrigeration mechanic apprentice based in Lae.
“These total up to 12 apprentices across Paradise Foods in the fields of electrical, machine fitting, refrigeration and welding.”
The apprentices serve a four-year apprenticeship. During this time they are called up for block courses run by the Apprenticeship Trade Testing Board in collaboration with technical colleges and PNG Power Ltd. They do a trade test at the end of each block course and are assessed competent or not.
If they are competent then they are issued trade certificates marking the end of their apprenticeship.
Chief executive Michael Shields said: “Paradise Foods participates in the apprenticeship programme by sponsoring, nurturing and grooming these young people toward this achievement. “At the end of the programme, they don’t automatically become our employees.
“If we have vacancies for trade persons, then we offer them fulltime employment. If we do not have trades persons positions available, then we release them to search for employment elsewhere. All in all we have played our part in assisting to build and develop skilled people for the nation.
“That is our corporate responsibility toward nation-building.”