Prime Minister Tuilaepa and Australian Prime Minister Ms Julia Gillard

By Tupuola Terry Tavita

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi this afternoon thanked Australian Prime Minister Ms Julia Gillard for two initiatives that will greatly benefit Samoa.

The expansion of Australia’s Pacific Seasonal Worker Scheme to include Samoa, Solomon Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu and, a new funding of AUS$152 million for the next four years to operate the successful Australia-Pacific Technical College.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa told Ms Gillard and the press, on hand, that seasonal work – as has been the experience in New Zealand – benefits Samoans in several ways.

“First, it provides them the necessary cash injection they would use to develop their families or reinvest in a meaningful project when they return home, it provides them with the needed experience of working in a commercial farm and then applying that knowledge to operating their own plantation when they return to Samoa and, also, teaches them good work ethic – hard work and making a profit.�?

Ms Gillard said that the pilot seasonal scheme always had expansion to other Pacific Islands in mind when it began in 2008.

“But we had to take the necessary baby steps – in identifying and addressing problems that arise – before we can let it grow. There has always been a high demand for workers from Australian employers.�?

APTC

Prime Minister Tuilaepa thanked Australia – through Ms Gillard – for again renewing funds towards the APTC programme.

“APTC, since its inception in 2007, has lifted the general standard of education in Samoa. And because it issues Australian-standard qualifications, APTC graduates are not only sought after by employers in Samoa, but also will have no problems finding jobs when they migrate to Australia,�? said Tuilaepa.

Some 150 graduates have received qualifications from APTC – Le Papaigalagala campus – since it was set up.

Ms Gillard said that ensuring Pacific Island nations are “prosperous, successful and stable is in Australia’s national interest and, this training will help these small nations with their employment.�?

Australia has announced a funding of AUS$2.7 million to support research on technical and vocational education across the region.

 This research, Ms Gillard said, will be used to inform national and donor-decision making on education and training for the region.

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