Newly accredited regional certificates for resilience and sustainable energy provide new opportunities in the Pacific

Suva

Five certificates in resilience and sustainable energy were presented to Pacific Technical and Vocational Education and Training (PacTVET) in a small ceremony in Nadi this morning. The Pacific Community (SPC) through the Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP) has accredited a total of eight certificates for courses on resilience and sustainable energy. These qualifications are a first for the Pacific and represent a landmark development for education and training opportunities the region.

The certificates are a key output of the PacTVET Project, which is been supported by the European Union and was accredited by EQAP in consultation with National Qualifications Agencies and industry partners from across the Pacific.

EU PacTVET, Project Team Leader, Ms Amelia Siga stated, “This is a great achievement for the Pacific region and a proud moment for all the staff who have been working on this project. The eight qualifications, are regionally developed, accredited and registered- all global firsts.”

While training and education programs for resilience and sustainable energy have previously been available in the Pacific, there was no recognized regional certification in these increasingly important areas. The lack of certification was a significant barrier for workers and students looking to improve their skills within the region, and held back efforts to expand Pacific expertise and increase investment in.

Ms Siga explained that certification in resilience and sustainable energy is new to the TVET area. “Courses have been delivered in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. The Graduates of Certificate I and II, in both resilience and sustainable , have typically found employment in Non-Government Organisations working in the area of climate change.”

Certificates I and II take approximately six months of course work to complete and are targeted at the community level. Students are trained and equipped with skills related to solar energy and mitigating climate change effects. Certificate III and IV represent 12 months of course work and are aimed at practitioners and technicians in the areas of resilience and sustainable energy.

With regionally recognized certificates now in place, workers and students can be confident that the courses and training offered will be of the highest standard, and that the certificates they receive will be accepted proof of their qualifications across the region.

The courses and training programs for these certifications will be offered by providers throughout region, with support from professional industry groups such as the Sustainable Energy Industry Association of the Pacific Islands (SEIAPI) and the Pacific Regional Federation for Resilience Professionals (PRFRP).  Ongoing industry support will be critical to ensure reviews and updates of the qualifications are ongoing.

Media contacts:
Solo Matthewsella, SPC Communications Assistant at EQAP, [email protected]

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