Reverend Seilala Luamanuvae
Ms Emily Luck, Australian High Commissioner
Dr Trevor Matheson, New Zealand High Commissioner
Heads of Government Ministries & Private Entities
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to attend this crucial ceremony – the launching of the Apprenticeship Program New
Structure 2022 and the official signing of the Statement of Agreement between SQA Board,
Apprenticeship Council and National University of Samoa. Today’s occasion is a milestone and great
achievement for the Apprenticeship Program since its inception in the last 50 years.
The Scheme was established by Cabinet under the Apprenticeship Act 1972 and Apprenticeship
Regulations 1973. It was administered under the then Department of Labour, Education Department
and the Western Samoa Technical Training Institute (W.S.T.T.I) as the Training provider. The
Scheme started with only six (6) trades, Motor Mechanic, Electrical, Fitting & Machining, Carpentry
& Joinery, Plumbing and Welding & Fabrication.
The major employers of apprentices at the time were the Public Works Department (PWD) now
MWTI and Electric Power Corporation (EPC) including private employers. With assistance from
overseas, Australia and New Zealand has helped from time to time in upgrading and development of
the scheme in the following areas;
 The designing and establishment of trades’ curriculums.
 The establishment of Industry Training Standards (now NCSs).
 Training of instructors abroad and locally.
In 2013, the formulation and development of National Competency Standards for existing trades was
completed. The enactment of the Apprenticeship Act 2014 and Regulations 2015 is now enforced which
repealed the Apprenticeship Act 1972 and Regulations 1973.
The Ministry has formed partnership with the National University of Samoa (NUS) as the training
provider for the scheme, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), as well as with the Samoa
Qualification Authority (SQA) for the accreditation of the scheme’s trades curriculums. This partnership

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is formalized under the Statement of Agreement which provides conditions for the rollout of Workplace
Assessment within the Competency-Based Apprenticeship program. Partnership with Employers has
been enhanced over the years as they play an important role in providing the practical aspect of the
Apprenticeship Scheme.
 NUS provides the Theoretical aspects of the scheme, while employers provide the Practical
aspects of the scheme. Theory: (4 working days, 4 hours per day: 200 per year & 800 hours
for 4 years). Practical: 1800 working days per year with 7,200 hours for 4 years. Apprentice
must satisfy both in order to graduate (Due Completion Certificate)
 Government continues to subsidize the scheme by covering 50% of total fee, while the
Employers cover 30% and the Apprentice 20%.
 From that time until date, the continuous developments of the Program through many
projects, consultations, meetings, seminars and technical workshop were untaken which is a
true reflection of today’s event, the launch of the Apprenticeship Program New Structure.
The New Apprenticeship Program 2022 constitutes of revised and updated National Competency
Standards (NCSs) for the seven (7) trades for Apprenticeship Program Curriculum. There are specific
entry criteria for Level 3 and Level 4 to be administered by MCIL, while levels 1 and 2 will be
administered by NUS. There are specific entry criteria for Level 3 and Level 4 as stipulated under the
MOU as mentioned earlier.
Milestones
The following are the milestones achieved by the ministry recently under the Apprenticeship Program:
I. Formulation and development of the Apprenticeship Program New Structure for the 7 trades is
completed.
II. The Accreditation process is in progress involving the 3 Key Implementing Agencies, NUS,
SQA and MCIL to ensure the Program is recognized internationally is in progress.
III. A total of hundred and twenty eight (128) students who are registered for this Apprenticeship
Program New Structure and it will commence next month 13 th June 2022. The above number
includes new entrants and existing students.
IV. Statement of Agreement for the New Structure between SQA Board, Apprenticeship Council
and NUS is completed.
Acknowledgement:
The Samoan government through the Apprenticeship Council and the Ministry of Commerce,
Industry and Labour would like to acknowledge the continuous support of all stakeholders especially
developments Partners which have contributed to the success of the Apprenticeship Program New
Structure
1. Australia and New Zealand government financial support which assisted the reviewing of the
Apprenticeship old structure and the formulation of the New Apprenticeship Structure.
2. The contribution from the business community and individuals by providing sponsorship and
support for the Apprenticeship Program through providing employment opportunities and on-the-
job training is acknowledged.

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3. The International Labour Organization for continuous financial support for numerous MCIL
related projects inclusive the SNEP 2021-2025 and review of LMIS which assist jobseekers and
unemployed youths for searching information re; employment opportunities both local and
overseas markets.
4. We commend the significant and continuous support from the CEO and Management of SQA
through commitments and untiring effort with the ministry in the implementation of many projects,
to ensure continuous improvement of the Apprenticeship Program.
5. Special acknowledgement to the NUS Vice Chancellor & Management for the great partnership
and collective effort with MCIL for the continuous improvement of the Apprenticeship Program as
reflects on today’s event.
6. The Country Director, Cheri Robinson and Management of APTC, for the continuous support
specifically the reviewing and development of NCSs of the Plumbing trade.

SOIFUA MA IA MANUIA

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Afioga Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio, Sui Palemia & Sui Minisita o Pisinisi, Alamanuia ma Leipa
Saunoaga Autu: Tatalaina aloaia ma le Faalauiloina o le Faiga Fou o le Polokalame Aperenitisi,
Aso Lua, Aso 7 Iuni 2022, itula e 6.00 i le afiafi, Faletalimalo o le Taumeasina Island Resort
Susuga Seilala Luamanuvae
Afioga Tama’itai Komesina o Ausetalia
Afioga i le Alii Komesina o Niusila
Mamalu i Malo Fa’aaloalogia
Faauluuluga o Matagaluega a le Malo & Pisinisi Tumaoti
Alii & Tamaita’i
O le agaga faafetai ma le faagaeetia lo’u auai i lenei sauniga taua – O le tatalaina aloaia ma le
faalauiloaina ole Faiga Fou o le Polokalme Aperenitisi 2022 aemaise o le sainia o le Maliliega I le
Va o le Fono Faatonu o le Faalapotopotoga o Tusipasi ma Faailoga Taualoa a Samoa, Fono Faatonu
o Aperenitisi ma le Iunivesite Aoao o Samoa. O le manulauti o le asō ole faailogaina ma le patipatia
ose laasaga mao’ae talu ona faavaeina le Polokalmae o Aperenitisi talu mai le 50 tausaga ua tuanai e
le Malo.
O lenei polokalame sa faavaeina e le Kapeneta i lalo o le Tulafono o le faiga e a’oa’oina ma
faafaigaluega ai se tagata i se galuega poo le Faa-Aperenitisi 1972 ma Tulafono Faatonutonu 1973. O
le faagaoioiina o lenei polokalame sa i lalo o le Matagaluega o Leipa, Matagaluega o Aoga ma le
Matata Eseese (W.S.T.T.I) sa gafa ma le a’oa’oina o aperenitisi (Training Provider). E ono (6) matata
sa amata ai le polokalame, Inisinia Afi Taavale, Faa-Eletise, Gaosi Totoga o Masini, Faakamuta &
Fau Meafale, Faipaipa/Palama, Sosoo Uamea/Uelo. O galuega tetele sa faafaigaluegaina aperenitisi i
na aso o le Matagaluega o Galuega a le Malo ma le Malosi Faaeletise a le Malo e aofia ai ma i latou e
ona galuega tumaoti ma umia sa’oloto. E maoa’e le fesoasoani a atunuu i fafo, sa fesoasoani tele
Ausetalia ma Niu Sila i le taumafaiga ma le atina’eina o vaega taua ia:
E ono (6) matata sa amata ai le polokalame, Inisinia Afi Taavale, Faa-Eletise, Gaosi Totoga o Masini,
Faakamuta & Fau Meafale, Faipaipa/Palama, Sosoo Uamea/Uelo. O galuega tetele sa
faafaigaluegaina aperenitisi i na aso o le Matagaluega o Galuega a le Malo ma le Malosi Faaeletise a
le Malo e aofia ai ma i latou e ona galuega tumaoti ma umia sa’oloto. E maoa’e le fesoasoani a
atunuu i fafo, sa fesoasoani tele Ausetalia ma Niu Sila i le taumafaiga ma le atina’eina o vaega taua
nei:
 Fuafuaina ma le faamautuina o Tomatau mo matata uma.
 Faamautuina o Manulauti mo le a’oa’oina o aperenitisi i fale faigaluega.
 A’oa’oina o Faiaoga i totonu o le atunuu poo atunuu mamao e iai Niusila ma Ausetalia.
O le Faiga-fou o le Polokalame o Aperenitisi ose taumafaiga tu’ufaatasi i le maea ai o le fausiaina o
agavaa ma tomai faapitoa faale-atunuu mo matata e fitu, e aofia ai tomai tusitusi ma tomai faatino.
O le faamoemoe autu o lenei faiga fou, ia mautinoa le amanaia o Faailoga i lalo o le polokalame i
tulaga Faava-o-malo
Tulaga Ausia:
O nisi nei o matati’a ua ausia I lalo o le Faiga Fou o le Polokalame o Aperenitisi:

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1. Fausiaina ma le faamaeaina o tomai ma agavaa faapitoa mo matata e fitu (7) I lalo o le
Polokalame.
11. O loo faaauau le iloiloina ma le faamaonia o tulaga aloaia o mataupu o le aoaoina
I le faiga fou, pei ona galulue faatasi ai le Faalapotopotoga o Faailoga
ma Tusipasi a Samoa, Iunivesite o Samoa ma le matagaluega.
111. E selau luasefulu valu (128) I latou ua maea ona resitala I lalo o le Faiga Fou o le Polokalame.
O le fuainumenra o loo taua i luga, e aofia ai aperentisi fou ma aperenitisi faaauau. O le a
amatalia le Aoga I le Aso 13 o Iuni 2022.
1V Ua maea ona fausia le Maliliega I le va o le Fono Faatonu o Faalapotpotga o
Tusipasi ma Faailoga Tualoa a Samoa, Fono Faatonu o Aperentisi ma le Iunivesite
Aoao o Samoa.

Faamauina le agaga faafetai:
E momoli le faafetai ma le faamalo a le Malo, e tauala atu I le Fon Faatonu a le Aperentisi I Paaga a le
Matagluega i lo latou sao taua, o loo siitia ai pea le tulaga maulauga ma le sologa lelei o le polokalame:
1. Malo o Ausetalia ma Niusila, mo le faatupeina o le Faiga Fou o le Polokalame o Aperentisi, ua mafai
ai ona toe iloilo le Faiga-tuai, aemaise ole fausiaina o le Faiga-fou.
2. Mamalu o le Au-Faipisinisi, Falefaigaluega ma tagata taito’atasi, mo le faaauauina pea o le lagolago i
le polokalame, e ala i le faafaigaluegaina ma le Aoaoina o Tomai faatino i galuega i totonu o fale
faigaluega.
3. Faalapotopotoga Faava-o-Malo o Leipa (ILO) i le faatupeina o le tele o poloketi a le
matagaluega, e aofia ai le toe fausiaina o le Taiala mo Galuega i Samoa 2021-2025 ma le toe
fausiaina o le Lesitala mo i latou saili galuega.
4. Momoli le faafetai ma le faamalo i le Afioga i le Tamaitai Pule Sili, Pulega ma le Aufaigaluega
a le Faalapotopotoga o Faailoga ma Tusipasi Taualoa a Samoa, i le galulue so’oso’o tauau ma le
matagaluega I le faatinoina o le tele o poloketi mo le siitia ma le faaleleia atili o le Polokalame o
Aperenitisi.

5. Faafetai faapitoa i le Afioga i le Pule Sili ma le Pulega a le Iunivesite Aoao o Samoa, I le galulue
faapaaga ma le matagaluega ma ana paaga aua le aoaoina o alo ma fanau a Samoa, o loo utuvai I
le Papa-i-Galagala, ina ia mautinoa le siitia pea o le tomai ma agavaa i mataupu tau matata
eseese, pei ona iai le Faiga Fou mo le Polokalame ua maea fausia.
6. Faafetai i le Afioga i le Tamaitai Pule o le APTC, Cherri Robertson ma le Pulega, i le ofoina mai
o le fesoasoani i le fausiaina o tomai faapitoa mo le matata o le Palama.

SOIFUA MA IA MAUNUIA