TWENTY-NINE Solomon Islanders from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and the private sector yesterday received internationally recognised Certificate IV qualifications in Civil Construction Supervision and Materials Testing.
This is the first time these qualifications have been delivered in Solomon Islands.
They are critical for strengthening the quality of repairs, upgrades and maintenance of roads, bridges and wharves.
“The qualifications earned today go to the heart of improving the quality of transport infrastructure in Solomon Islands”, Australian High Commissioner Andrew Byrne said at the graduation ceremony.
The High Commissioner also accepted an award of thanks from the Ministry for Australia’s support for the training, which was funded by the Solomon Islands Government and Australia through the National Transport Fund.
He made particular mention of the female graduates and noted that 63 per cent of workers taking up road maintenance employment opportunities so far this year have been women.
“If Solomon Islands is to develop to its full potential, it needs to harness the skills and energy of the whole population, men and women alike.”
Australia has provided AUD34 million (approx. SBD243 million) over five years (2011–2015) to the National Transport Fund, in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government and Asian Development Bank, to develop and maintain transport infrastructure across all provinces in Solomon Islands.