TWENTY six Rural Training Centre (RTC) staffs representing eight RTCs have been accredited with New Zealand qualification yesterday after completing a series of training under the Strengthening Technical and Agriculture Rural Training (START) Leadership and Management programme.

Most of the students underwent their training in the country while 10 of them completed their studies in different institutions in New Zealand.

Speaking during the certificate presentation ceremony, guest speaker, the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, Mr James Bosamata, said the five years’ partnership programme has five key goals in effort to improve the quality of RTC training in the country.

He said the goals are; to train at least 72 RTC carpentry, mechanic and agriculture instructors with accreditation meeting the New Zealand standards, provide leadership and management training for 26 RTC principals, deputy principals, school bursars, education officers and chairperson of eight RTCs.

Mr Bosamata stressed that part of the key gaols are to improve infrastructure development for eight RTCs, finance literacy for women in communities and life skills department and also provide training equipment for carpentry and mechanic instructors of eight schools.

He said the programme has achieved its vision and mission through pilot training programmes carried out since the partnership was established.

Mr Bosamata said the successfull completion of the first pilot goal shows great partnership and effort between donor partner and the implementers towards achieving the programme’s objectives.

“With today’s graduation, I would like to encourage the graduating students to be proud of your achievement,” he said.

Mr Bosamata said Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) fully recognises and acknowledges the partnership programme as it supports the Ministry’s expected development goals.

He said the programme has and will contribute well in the country’s voyage towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal four, that is to improve inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Mr Bosamata adds that the programme will also provide equal access to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education as stated in the country’s 2016-1030 Education Strategic Framework.

He said the ministry is putting effort to consolidate the establishment of comprehensive, integrated tertiary skills development through TVET and higher education framework and relevant skill for employment as stated in the 2016-2020 National Education Action Plan.

Mr Bosamata said activities will create a more highly skilled labour force through strengthening the quality and relevance of technical and agricultural training in the country.

“I’m confident that START, Caritas and SIAVRTC partnership programme will contribute towards achieving goal D of the country’s National Education Action Plan,” he said.

Mr Bosamata said the programme is an innovative approach from New Zealand to provide practical assistance in key sectors for sustainable development and economic growth in the Solomon Islands.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Senior Programme Coordinator Mr Nick Borthwick said the Strengthening Technical and Agriculture Rural Training (START) has four parts.

They are leadership, teachers training, infrastructure development and financial capacity development.

He said the first bunch of students to have graduated have completed the part-one of the programme, and that is Leadership and teachers training.

Mr Borthwick said the leadership training has been delivered in the most dynamic, energetic and action oriented fashion led by professional from Learn.fast Pacific Mr Chris Elphick and Chris Leather.

He acknowledges the MEHRD, New Zealand High Commissioner, Churches, RTCs and SIVRTC for the great partnership resulting in the huge achievement.

Rural Vocational Training Schools piloted under the programme are; Airahu RTC, Kaotave VTC, Saint Peter VTC, Tabaka RTC, Taparaina VTC and Vatu RTC.

The five years’ programme is funded by the government of New Zealand and implemented by Solomon Islands Vocational Rural Training Centres Association in partnership with Caritas New Zealand.