Carpentry Certificates for cylone re-builders [1]
Friday, June 28, 2019 - 18:23. Updated on Friday, June 28, 2019 - 18:26.
Eighty-two trainees received their Certificate II in Carpentry on June 28 in Nuku'alofa, after completing seven months on the job training at the Tonga Institute of Science and Technology.
The trainees, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, volunteered to take part in the course, which required 400 hours of supervised practical work experience, starting on November 28, 2018.
At the end of their course they built over 30 relief houses in Tongatapu. More than 50% of them have since obtained employment, and others are seeking further training opportunities abroad.
Only one female participant completed the course, she is now applying for further training in New Zealand to be a Quantity Assessor.
This training was initiated after Tropical Cyclone Gita, in a collaboration between Tonga Skills, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, MORDI Tonga Trust and TIST, which saw them combine resources to contribute to recovery efforts, while building the skills and experience of local construction trainees.
Rebuilding houses destroyed by Cyclone Gita was one of the first priorities of the national response and Tonga Skills provided each trainee with a tool kit and safety gear valued at around $1,000 pa'anga.
Each kit included boots, gloves, tools, an equipment belt, hard hats and masks essential tools for trainees to use to contribute to the construction work and find employment at the end of the project.
Skilled workers
Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Rhona McPhee said construction is a key sector supporting the Tonga Strategic Development Framework and is one of the skills development priorities of Tonga Skills, which is funded by the Australian Government.
Certificate II in Carpentry is a pathway for trainees to build their own businesses, apply for work in the training industry in Tonga and overseas or go on to further training. It also increases the number of skilled construction workers in Tonga and those available for overseas seasonal work, she said.
She said the tool kits provided are critical to the success of the training because when hiring, employers are looking for apprentices who are work-ready, adaptable and well organised as well as reliable and customer friendly.
Nonga Soakai, TIST Director said this training gives opportunities to volunteers in terms of employment and study.
The purpose was to train them to build houses for families affected by Gita and have usable skills to become good members of society, have employment and for further study in construction, he said.
Elder 'Aisake Tukuafe and families were present during the award ceremony held at the Teufaiva Stake Center.