The Department of Works and Highways has launched a five-year workforce training and development plan to build a more skilled public service capable of delivering major national infrastructure projects, including the Connect PNG programme.
The Five-Year Workforce Training and Development Plan 2025–2029 and the Graduate Development Program Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Manual were launched on Friday at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby under the theme, “Advancing a Competent Workforce with the Capabilities for Organizational Excellence through Professional Development and Upskilling.”
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The plan aims to strengthen the department’s engineering, technical and management workforce to improve infrastructure delivery and public service performance across the country.
Speaking at the launch, Department of Works and Highways Secretary Gibson Holemba said the department’s greatest asset was its people and stressed that attitude was just as important as technical ability.
“The attitude of our staff is the most important thing in the public service. We need to place more emphasis on it. Until we get the attitude right, whatever skills you have will not be used wisely for the benefit of others,” Mr. Holemba said.
He said the training programme would equip employees with the knowledge, practical skills and professionalism needed to meet the increasing demands of national development.
Mr. Holemba said the expansion of major infrastructure projects, particularly the Connect PNG programme, required a highly capable workforce that could deliver quality roads and public infrastructure throughout Papua New Guinea.
He also highlighted the department’s ageing workforce, saying the training plan would help prepare a new generation of engineers, technical officers and managers.
“We have an ageing workforce, so training is important to upskill our people and produce more workforce to strengthen our ability to serve the country,” he said.
Mr. Holemba reminded staff that infrastructure development depended on the people delivering the work.
“Infrastructure does not build itself. People build infrastructure,” he said.
He said investing in employees would strengthen the department’s capacity to deliver projects that improve connectivity, support economic growth and raise the living standards of Papua New Guineans.
The launch was attended by Australian High Commission Counsellor Richelle Turner, Japan International Cooperation Agency PNG Office Chief Representative Shirouzu Kenichi, Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance Executive Director for Workforce Training and Development Robert Nemala, Institute of Engineers Papua New Guinea Chief Executive Officer Benedict Mick, deputy secretaries, development partners and department staff.
The event concluded with Mr. Holemba and Ms. Turner officially launching the workforce development plan and Graduate Development Program SOP Manual with a ribbon-cutting ceremony before joining invited guests for group photographs.