A new partnership between the University of the South Pacific (USP) and Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) was signed to further support Pacific Island skills training needs for labour market demands.

Under this new agreement, APTC and USP through Pacific TAFE will further support Pacific Island citizens' skills training needs for labour market demands, particularly for recovery from the COVID- 19 pandemic.

This will enable the two institutions to work collaboratively for quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) delivery and better employment outcomes.

Key areas, includes collaborative approaches for training delivery, professional development opportunities, strengthening partnership governance and identifying regional priorities for better coordination.

Acting Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, Dr Giulio Masasso Paunga said on April 21, that USP has a well-established relationship with Australia and with APTC through Pacific TAFE.

TVET is significant and well recognised for the social and economic development of our Pacific Island countries and I am very pleased that USP and APTC will be working together to help embed TVET in regional and national systems for long-term sustainability, he said.

Interim CEO of APTC, Janelle Chapman said the increased engagement between the two institutions will help better address the region's need for training and skills development.

"The partnership offers an excellent opportunity to collaborate towards ensuring Pacific people are supported with skills they need for employment, both now and into the future."

Meanwhile, Australia is a longstanding educational partner in the Pacific and we’re pleased to be supporting Pacific peoples to build these skills and prepare the region for economic recovery.

Over the years, USP-APTC partnership has resulted in the establishment of a joint training facility, the Pacific Fusion Restaurant in 2014 and the coordination of the inaugural Pacific Skills Summit in 2019, among others.

APTC, Australia's flagship TVET investment in the Pacific has trained more than 16,000 Pacific women and men since it started in 2007.