Australia Continues to Invest in Pacific Skills

  • Joint media release

Todaywe announce the Australian Government will build on its longstanding investmentin Pacific skills by strengthening Australia's flagship Pacific vocationaltraining facility.

Sinceits inception in 2007, the Australia-Pacific Technical College has transformedthe lives of over 12,000 graduates from 14 Pacific Island countries byproviding them with Australian-standard technical and vocationalqualifications.

TheAPTC will be rebranded to the Australia Pacific Training Coalition to reflectchanges in its approach, which are designed to strengthen innovation in thedelivery of training and increase engagement with the private sector.

Theseenhancements will see a stronger emphasis placed on boosting employmentoutcomes, addressing skills shortages in the region and strengthening technicaland vocational educational training systems in Pacific Island countries.

Itwill also focus on preparing Pacific Islanders to take advantage of regionallabour market opportunities, including through Australia's recently-announcedPacific Labour Scheme.

Thiswork is supported through an additional contribution of $128 million over fouryears to be managed by our partner, TAFE Queensland.

Ahighly skilled, inclusive and productive workforce is fundamental to sustainabledevelopment and economic prosperity in the Pacific.

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