Eighty-two Samoans, including 62 women and 13 people living with disabilities, completed
short courses delivered by the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) to increase their
skills for improved employment and livelihoods.
An awards ceremony was held on 14 March 2023 to celebrate the achievements of the
recipients who completed five different short courses – Language, Literacy and Numeracy
(LLN), Plumbing, Construction, and Domestic Violence and Anger Management.
The training was part of Australia’s ongoing support to Samoa’s economic recovery,
particularly in ensuring skills for the growth of vital industries and communities.
Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Her Excellency Emily Luck, congratulated the
award recipients and extended Australia’s best wishes.
“Education truly is the key to unlocking a future of limitless opportunities, and we look
forward to seeing graduates apply their new knowledge and skills towards the prosperity of
their families, communities, and nation,” she said.
She added that Australia is working with the Government of Samoa to support educational
and training outcomes for Samoans to productively engage in their country’s development.
The award recipients included 23 women from the districts of Falealili and Safata who
completed the plumbing short course and 15 women from the district of Aana Alofi who
completed the construction short course. The respective Members of Parliament for these
districts supported the courses to be delivered in their communities.
Eleven of these women have transitioned to Certificate II programs at APTC in their
respective trades.
One of them, Shanett Mary Aynes Paulo, said the short course provided her a pathway into
the Certificate II in Plumbing Services program that she is currently undertaking with APTC.
“I have learned how to identify and repair leaks, use power tools, and maintain plumbing
systems to help conserve water. I am now able to take care of any plumbing needs at home,
which helps us save repair costs. With my new skills I hope to secure employment as a
plumber to better support my family,” she said.
The need for the short courses was identified by various government departments, APTC’s
partner Nuanua O Le Alofa (NOLA) disability organisation, counselling stakeholders,
women’s groups and communities.
APTC Interim Executive Director, Nicki Baird, said the short courses were delivered to
support the upskilling needs of various industries and communities in Samoa.
She added that APTC delivers skills that are responsive to industry needs and ensure strong
employment outcomes for people.
Thirteen people with disabilities completed the Language, Literacy and Numeracy short
course, which was delivered under the APTC-NOLA partnership. Both institutions are

working together to promote inclusive education and employment opportunities for all
Samoans.
Also awarded were 30 Samoans who completed as part of a counselling short course, the
Anger Management and Domestic Violence elements. These aim to address the growing
need for mental health support as well as contribute to efforts towards violence-free,
empowered and safe Samoan communities.
In 2022, 115 Samoans completed short courses in Work, Health and Safety, Digital Literacy,
LLN and Drainage Plumbing.