Training

IROEGT empowers technicians to maintain renewable energy resources in Tonga

The trainings were conducted by the Department of Energy under the Ministry of MEIDECC in collaboration with the Government of France as part of the Increase Renewable Energy in Overall Electricity Generation in Tonga (IREOEGT) project.

They were aimed at enhancing participants skills and knowledge on how to provide maintenance for available renewable energy technologies in Vava’u.

Tonga engineers re-certified

Roan Gouws and Minandi von Ludwig, training facilitators are Directors of KN Training & Development and are in Tonga for the second visit. 

A total of 16 participants including 13 from Digicel and 3 from the Ministry of Infrastructure took part in the training. 

The training was both in classroom setting and field exercises and provided the participants with re-certification on two major components.

Tongan businesses want more training opportunities

The country goes to the polls on Thursday.

Chamber President, Paula Taumoepeau said the economy was small and heavily reliant on remittances.

He said this meant it was important that people were trained to overseas standards but also others were trained to fill the gaps of those that leave.

"Any business that survives in Tonga for long, they have to train people all the time. They know that as soon as somebody's skilled enough and has an opportunity, they'll go. It is a fact of doing business in Tonga and most of the Pacific islands."

Tonga Skills for Inclusive Economic Growth program conducts training

Financed through the Australian Government, the SDF aims to support skills training delivery in priority industry sectors to maximise employment and productivity outcomes.

Representatives from target sectors such as manufacturing, construction, tourism (Arts, Entertainment and Recreation & Accommodation and Food Services), agriculture, food, forest and fisheries attended the training.

 It was through previous consultation that these sectors were identified as priority areas for skills development, that will support economic growth.

Wallabies settle in the west

Staying in Penrith for the first part of the week, the Wallabies are removed from the usual Moore Park surrounds of other Sydney weeks, a change skipper Michael Hooper is enjoying.

“The facilities are fantastic out here, so we're able to stay and walk to our grounds and really have that focus on footy and connect with the people out here,” he said.

Though they’re out of the inner-city bubble, things are starting to get real fast for the Wallabies and Hooper, for one, can’t wait.

Tonga’s weather forecasters receive specialised training from Japan Met Agency

The training is being provided by senior forecasters from Japan Meteorological Agency and is the second phase of a Japanese government funded project for the installation of a satellite receiving station.

The training will ensure that Tonga’s forecasters are able to use and interpret high resolution satellite image products to assist weather forecasting operation.

Pacific islands boost electoral standards with Commonwealth support

The senior electoral representatives will be supported by the Commonwealth Electoral Network, the Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand Electoral Administrators (PIANZEA) Network, and the Fijian Elections Office as they seek to increase awareness of globally-recognised standards for credible and inclusive elections.

Taiwan hosts vocational training for young Pacific islanders

The 30 participants, all from countries that are Taiwan's diplomatic allies, are receiving training in the areas of automobile maintenance, carpentry and electrical engineering, said Lee Pai-po deputy secretary-general of the Taipei-based International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF).

The programme, which started Sept. 4 and runs until Dec. 22, is aimed at cultivating seed instructors for vocational training in the participating Pacific island countries, namely Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands and Solomon Islands, Lee said at a news briefing.