Seventeen young Tongans were awarded Work Readiness Training Program certificates last Friday, 21 July after completing the two-week course with The Tonga Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (TYEE).

The Program aims to up-skill unemployed youth aged 18 – 29 with relevant foundational skills including emphasis on the importance of having a work-ready attitude. It is the first approved and funded activity under the Australian Government Tonga Skills Pilot Program.

The occasion was attended by TYEE staff, trainees, their families and stakeholders at the House of Tonga in Mailetaha, Nuku'alofa and certificates were presented by Tu’ifua Takapautolo from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Tonga Skills and TYEE Board Member Sela Bloomfield.

The TYEE program encourages unemployed youth of Tonga to move forward. The 17 successful trainees will use their newly acquired skills with assistance from TYEE to secure their first jobs through its recruitment services.

Tonga’s Statistics Department states unemployment is on the rise with recent statistics showing increases from 4.9% in 2006 to 6.5% in 2011.

Around 560 youth are currently registered with TYEE, to upskill themselves to compete for future employment.