LOCAL construction companies say they are winning more work after attending Australia’s Workforce Skills Series, delivered through the Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program.
At an end-of-year awards ceremony held on 4 December in Honiara, Watson Maeletete of Pathway Solutions said attending the training had opened doors for local companies and is improving their job prospects.
“As a result of the workshops, we’ve been winning more construction work than before.”
Since 2022, Australia has been supporting free, industry-led training to upskill local companies to bid for and manage infrastructure contracts, including worksite safety, environmental management, contract management and workforce inclusion.
Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Rod Hilton, congratulated the sector for the participation of over 300 men and women from 85 companies, and their commitment to improving the quality, safety and inclusion of infrastructure in Solomon Islands.
“The Workforce Skills Series shows Australia’s commitment to creating local jobs for Solomon Islanders. It was initiated to help local companies tender and win Australian-supported work,” His Excellency Hilton said.
“Over time we are seeing the positive impact, with more local companies delivering Australian-supported projects – from six remote Telekom Towers to provincial markets, bus shelters and early works at the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre.”
“These projects all employ Solomon Islanders, so that the economic benefit of Australia’s infrastructure support flows to Solomon Islands from day one.”
Julie Haro from Premiere Construction thanked Australia for supporting Solomon Islands companies.
“We are all hungry for knowledge, especially women in this male dominated sector. We are all on the pathway to being more competitive against external companies,” Ms Haro said. “And we are embracing each other, instead of just being competitors.”
Managing Director of Exodus Trade Development, Jeremiah Fono’ota said construction was a tough business, and thanked Australia through the Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program for providing the training support.
“This is the first of its kind, and it prepares us for the real work, in the field,” Mr Fono’ota said.
The awards presentation was proceeded by the final workshop of the year, Emergency Management Planning, with presentations from the National Disaster Management Office and Reeves ICON.
The Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program Workforce Skills Series will continue next year, with a focus on practical workshops based on industry feedback, delivered by local contractors wherever possible.
Further information and workshop slides can be downloaded at www.siip.com.sb
