After two year of absence, the National Training Institute (NTI) in Morobe province managed to graduate 34 students.
The absence was due to a school management decision to close but after the Covid-19 pandemic, it resumed and graduated the students under the Independent Fellowship Scheme (IFS).
The IFS is sponsored by the Department of Labour and Industrial Relation to promote participation in economic and community development focusing on rural-based projects.
It also aligns with the PNG Vision 2050 directives under the medium term development plan (MTDP) to focus on human capital development.
The institute is located at Nadzab in the Huon Gulf district, Morobe and last Friday saw its 17th graduation.
Director Kila Gabi said the institution used to run certificate one courses for tourism and hospitality but due to it not having much weight in the employment sectors, they had to bring in certificate 2.
We saw that National Certificate One was basic in the workplace, they couldn’t employ our students so we decided to include NC 2 and can be equipped with the necessary skills so that they can be hired.
Kila Gabi
Eight of its graduates were students sponsored under the Department of Labour and Industrial Relation’s Independent Fellowship Scheme (IFS).
Mr Gabi said the scheme aims to help underprivileged youths from rural communities to gain skills to better their livelihood.
IFS student representative Philo Avei said the scheme means a lot to those who cannot afford to get an education due to financial reasons.
She said the institution has provided them with an opportunity to better their lives which they are grateful for and also acknowledged the Department of Labour and Industrial Relation for the support.