A boost for PNG emergency management with APTC training

Port Moresby | 15 September

The Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) in Papua New Guinea recently delivered the second cohort of the International Skills Training, an internationally accredited program to improve training and assessment of adult learners in TVET.   

This training will improve emergency response capability in PNG – which helps to reduce risks from disaster, saves lives and helps to rebuild following crises.  

The course’s eighteen participants included the Western Provincial Government’s Disaster Office, PNG Fire Services, and PNG Government disaster management workers under the Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance (PIEMA) project.   

Philip Tai, Acting Superintendent – Training for the Fire Services Headquarters in Port Moresby, said he learnt a great deal.  

“I am really happy to attend the training because I will be able to conduct training using what I just learnt. This training is the first of its kind for Fire and I am enjoying it because the presentation and explanations are clear. I learnt many new things and look forward to learning more in the next training”, said Tai.  

Philip Gasuat, Manager for Disaster Risk Management in Kiunga, Western province, said participation was important because it would help him deliver a new training package for the disaster management team in his province.  

The training program was developed using Australian expertise, facilitated by the Australian Government, to help support the global demand for quality training and assessment skills.  

Given the current pandemic, the training was delivered in accordance with physical distancing and hygienic protocols to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.  

APTC Country Director for PNG, Dr Brad Shaw, said he is thrilled to support the training so that PNG can help meet a growing global demand for internationally applicable skills training.   

“Through this training, participants are skilling up to meet the aspirations for Papua New Guinea’s economic growth, as well as to help in the reduction of reliance on foreign workers,” Dr Shaw added.  

The Pacific Community’s PIEMA project supported this training as part of Australian and New Zealand government-funded efforts to strengthen preparedness for, response to, and recovery from emergencies and disasters in the Pacific.  

APTC is Australia’s flagship TVET programme, committed to promoting a more skilled, inclusive and productive workforce that enhances Pacific prosperity and is supported by the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership. Source: PACNEWS 

Country
Papua New Guinea