The Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) recently brought together development partners for an inception workshop to inform Australia’s newest four-year PGK241 million (AUD80 million) investment into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the Strongim Wok Long TVET (SWLT) Program.
The workshop recognized the importance of continued coordinated engagement, bringing DHERST, partners, and the Australian High Commission together to contribute to program design before SWLT implementation began.
It provided an opportunity for partners to better understand DHERST’s priorities for PNG’s TVET sector and to discuss ways to strengthen coordination across investments, including SWLT, the Improved TVET for Employment Project and Pacific Australia Skills.
These discussions supported input into SWLT program design and helped identify areas of coordination to support quality skills training and improved outcomes for students.
This early engagement reinforced the importance of inclusion that goes beyond attendance, supporting shared decision-making, mutual respect, and joint ownership from the outset.
“Bringing partners together early helps ensure TVET reform reflects PNG’s priorities, delivers practical outcomes, and supports skills development for our people,” Mr. Baki said.
This approach is critical to ensuring all youth, including women and people with disabilities, have the opportunity to succeed.
Australia supported the workshop, as part of its ongoing commitment under the Joint Statement of Intent on TVET signed at the 2024 Ministerial Forum, to work alongside Papua New Guinea to strengthen government-led TVET reform and long-term skills development.
“TVET is vital for the future of Papua New Guinea.”
“With an estimated 60 per cent of the population under the age of 25, TVET is a crucial opportunity to collaborate and advance reform,” said Secretary Baki.