A local firm is running training programs to upskill personnel in the local IT community without them having to travel abroad.

Greenology Samoa is running the training at the Sheraton Hotel in partnership with Go Wireless NZ (a certified training partner) and MikroTik Certified Network Associate.

Greenology Samoa Managing Director, Epifania Afano-Apineru, told Samoa Observer that they believe their one-week training will add value to the local companies’ human resource and compliment the Government’s digital transformation plans.

"We believe these IT Trainings will add substantial value to our local companies and Government’s digital transformation plans currently underway, bringing these IT's to Samoa to train our locals saves a lot of money in terms of travelling,” she said. “These companies usually have their training in New Zealand, Australia and other countries, but this is the first time for Samoa.”

Certified trainer Daniel Miller and colleague Cameron Orme, who both work for Go Wireless New Zealand, said their training focuses on setting up wireless connectivity solutions for public places including motels and restaurants.

He said ultimately they want locals who undergo training to be able to upskill themselves so they can also pass on the knowledge to others locally.

"This is for providing wireless solutions whether it's WiFi in a motel, restaurant or public outlet in the streets, this technology will provide that coverage in the network. So by bringing this training here in Samoa, it will help these IT tearn and know how to do it so overseas people would not come here and do it, because these people can do it," 

A leading global provider of wireless broadband solutions, American firm Cambium Network, is also a partner of Greenology Samoa. 

Mr Miller said they were also in town to train local staff on how to use the equipment. 

"Greenology Samoa is the certified partner for Cambium Network, so we are here just to train them on how to use the equipment and to teach them how to connect, just everything on wifi access installation and administration," he added.

The trainers spent Monday and Tuesday running training on WiFi access installation and administration and will cover the basics and power of routers operating systems in the remaining days. 

As an example of the services that they provide to Samoa, Epifania said the WiFi service at the Faleolo International Airport was set up by Greenology Samoa. 

"The free WiFi at the airport was done by Greenology Samoa, this initiative also compliments S.I.T.A. (Samoa IT Association) goal of providing local training for our IT community," she added.

Upon completion of the training, the participants are expected to be certified by the Cambium and Mikrotik Certified. There are 20 participants from different local companies and Government Ministries.