32 Tongan students received their certificates in specialized technical and vocational training from the Australia-Pacific Technical College during its graduation which also marked its 10th anniversary, in Nuku’alofa on Wednesday, September 20.

The graduates were awarded on Australian standard qualifications in 12 different programs, which included air conditioning, carpentry, commercial cookery, early childhood education and care, fabrication, diesel fitting, light vehicle technology, plumbing, tourism among others.

Australian High Commissioner HE Mr Andrew Ford was pleased that APTC offered skills and training aligned to labour market demand that allows not only Tongan nationals but other Pacific Island women and men to gain Australian skills and qualifications for a wide range of vocational careers.

He said the excellent track record of graduates in employment and communities especially in Tonga and the Pacific spoke of APTC’s remarkable progress in the past 10-years.

Around 97 percent of employers that employ APTC graduates have indicated their satisfaction with the level of skills of their employees that undertook this training, he said.

“The Australian Government is proud to support APTC and the work done over the last decade in upskilling over 11,000 Pacific Island citizens. This includes over 400 women and men from Tonga.”

Denise O’Brien APTC CEO said they trust graduates not only acquired the skills and knowledge to equip them for employment but also have new professional friendships.

She said they make sure that APTC is a quality provider of technical and vocational training and acknowledged its partnership with the Tonga Skills Program, to develop its capacity.

Tonga does not have a campus so these students studied at the other Pacific campuses.