Prof: Trade skills vital

 THE government’s K60 million investment in developing the trade skills of more than 580 students in the past three years in Townsville, Australia, is not a waste, a senior public servant says.

“In middle income economies like ours, 60% of the workforce consists of tradespersons who not only pay taxes and employ others, they drive the wheels of the economy,” director-general for Office of Higher Education Prof David Kavanamur said.

Kavanamur was speaking at the fifth graduation ceremony for 29 students who graduated with certificate two in auto mechanic, electro-technology, sustainable energy and engineering on June 29 at the Institute of TAFE, in Townsville. Thirty-two others graduated in Cairns on June 27 in other trades.

Kavanamur urged the graduates to take with them their knowledge in their trades to help the government develop the country to the next level.

He said almost K90,000 had been spent on each of them at the expense of infrastructure developments in the country.  

“We recognise that all else depends on human capital in PNG – the social and economic significance in harnessing trade skills base to position the phase of development to the next higher level befitting its economic growth and performance.”