Papua New Guinea and Australia celebrated a new phase of support for skills training with the official country launch of the Pacific Australia Skills Program today.
Australia’s regional AUD 229.5 million skills program operates across the Pacific and Timor Leste. Pacific Australia Skills will support Papua New Guinea to strengthen its skills system and deliver high quality training that leads to employment.
The program launch was attended by Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology and Sports, and Acting Minister for Education, Hon. Kinoka Feo MP, and Australia’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea and Special Envoy for the Pacific and Regional Affairs, Mr. Ewen McDonald. Both reaffirmed Papua New Guinea and Australia’s joint commitment to skills.
Pacific Australia Skills continues Australia’s long-term partnership with Papua New Guinea under the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), which trained more than 7,700 Papua New Guineans between 2007 and 2025.
Pacific Australia Skills is building on the strong relationships formed through APTC. Pacific Australia Skills in PNG has an enhanced focus on Papua New Guinea’s national education and workforce priorities and response to industry demand.
In partnership with Papua New Guinea’s Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, training institutions and industry, the program aims to deliver practical, job-focused skills development to improve pathways to employment, including for women, young people, people with disabilities and rural communities.
This launch reflects the spirit of yumi stap wantaim, with Papua New Guinea and Australia working side by side, step by step to strengthen skills, expand opportunity, and deliver meaningful outcomes for the people of Papua New Guinea.
Quotes attributable to Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea and Special Envoy for the Pacific and Regional Affairs, Mr Ewen McDonald
“Today’s event recognises that skills, training and employment are central to Papua New Guinea’s development and a critical part of the PNG-Australia Partnership in education.”
“We are committed to growing the TVET sector in PNG to enable more Papua New Guineans to support burgeoning industries around the country, and to benefit from opportunities offered by Australia’s labour mobility programs.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology and Sports, and Acting Minister for Education Honourable Kinoka Feo MP.
“Pacific Australia Skills aligns strongly with Papua New Guinea’s Vision 2050, Medium Term Development Plan 4 and National Higher & Technical Education Plan 2026 to 2035.”
“It also reflects our shared commitment with Australia to strengthen national skills systems, improve employment pathways, support labour mobility opportunities, promote inclusion and prepares our workforce for emerging industries.”
ENDS
Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology and Sports, Kinoka Feo MP and Australian High Commissioner, Mr Ewen McDonald unveiling a plaque to mark the official country launch of the Pacific Australia Skills program.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100