Ten civil servants have graduated from a training program to develop the skills of Tonga's public servants and to improve service delivery and efficiency.

They received their Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management course accredited with the University of the South Pacific. The programme part of a wider training package facilitated by the Pacific Islands Centre for Public Administration (PICPA) to the Tongan Government supported by the Government of Australia.

Falemei Fale PSC Acting CEO and one of the graduates said the course were tailored for Tonga’s processes and procedures.

“This makes it much easier to apply the skills and knowledge learned and we are grateful to Australia’s Aid program for its continued support of the public servants in Tonga.”

In 2013, Tonga’s Public Service Commission (PSC) identified 14 areas as high priorities for staff future training.

PICPA then developed 11 training courses and since March 2014, 270 public servants have taken part.

Additional training programs will be delivered in the second half of this year.

Graduates included Jeanette Vea, Suliana Puniani, Lu’isa Lapao’o from PSC, Kasanita ‘Ofa and Sivoki Soakai from the Ministry of Finance, Fonokimonana Hola from the Prime Minister’s office, Dr Seventeen Toumo’ua, Levaitai 'Asaeli from the Ministry of Health and Mele Taumoeapeau from the National Bureau of Statistics.