Australia’s continued support to Tertiary Vocational Education and Training (TVET) saw a handover of an essential marine transport vehicle and equipment to Batuna Adventist Vocational School in the Western Province.
The handover includes a 60-horsepower outboard motor engine, a 23-ft Yamaha Ray Boat, a boat trailer, two Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs), four life jackets, and fuel containers.
These essential items will significantly improve the school’s transportation capabilities, ensuring safer and more efficient movement of students, staff, and training materials.
Australia is supporting Solomon Islands to build a skilled and capable workforce. With these resources Batuna Adventist Vocational School will be able to address its immediate transportation challenges and continue its important work – delivering quality technical and vocational education to help Solomon Islanders get jobs and contribute to the economy.
Mr Ibi Drelly, Principal of Batuna Adventist Vocational School, commended Australia’s support through its skills investment, the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), over the past 5 years.
“This boat and equipment are timely and vital to our school. Our student enrolment has increased in recent years and we face significant challenges in sea transportation, directly impacting our ability to manage school operations and student administration. This assistance will make a real difference to our students and to our school,” Mr Drelly said.
He added, “With this additional boat, we will overcome logistical challenges faced by many rural communities across Solomon Islands, these difficulties and continue our mission of equipping young people with the skills they need for a brighter future.”
Through the APTC, Australia has partnered with with 10 Rural Training Centres across Solomon Islands to improve access to quality TVET for Solomon Islanders.
Source: Australia High Commission, Solomon Islands
