A total of 29 course participants were awarded certificates to mark the completion of training on employability and e-citizen skill sets with the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (A.P.T.C.).

The certificate awarding ceremony was held at the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) on Tuesday morning and was attended by the Australian High Commission First Secretary Julia Wheeler, the A.P.T.C. Country Director Cheri Robinson Moors, and the participants of the course.

Ms. Wheeler, in an address to mark the occasion, said the skills acquired from the A.P.T.C. by the course participants will be used to benefit their families and communities before commending their employers for allowing their staff to undertake the training.

"A special mention to the 21 women who are part of today’s ceremony, we are proud to support women like you gain the skills required for employment that will contribute to your livelihoods," she said.

"For the Pacific including Samoa, education and skills remain critical as we seek to build stability and drive economic growth while still dealing with the impacts of COVID-19.

 "The employability skills and e-citizen skill set directly contribute to Australia’s prioritisation in supporting skills development and human resource capacity in Samoa. 

"They are highly targeted and intensive programs, which aim to provide participants with job-ready and digital literacy skills required for the work environment. 

"These skills have been identified as areas that will benefit Samoans in both the recovery efforts from the impacts of COVID-19 and in the future post-pandemic."

 She added that Australia is committed to working with the Samoa Government to support a shared vision of a prosperous and resilient Samoa. 

"In the COVID-19 context, we have seen the acceleration of A.P.T.C.’s delivery of training, including micro-credentials and accredited skill sets, such as the certificates being awarded today," she said.

"We will continue working with APTC to ensure that training meets employer needs, including self-employment opportunities for Samoans."

Giving thanks to the A.P.T.C. Ms. Wheeler then encouraged the award recipients to continue to seek out opportunities to improve their skills and contribute back to their communities.

 One of the graduates of the employability skill course, 21-year-old Erica Liuliu Masoe of Nuu fou, told the Samoa Observer that the course was about learning how to speak English, learning basic mathematics and what to do in a workplace such as being professional.

She commended the course, saying it enabled the participants to meet new people and learn new skills.

Asked about one of the major things learned from the course she said: "To always be professional in the workplace. You don't play around during work time, you have to be one hundred per cent professional."

She then thanked her teacher Mrs. Dep whom she called the best teacher as she had taught the participants. 

"She pushed us to do better for ourselves, she always brings the best out of us," she said.