[L] Australian High Commissioner to Kiribati, H.E. Bruce Cowled. [R] Secretary for the Ministry of Employment and Human Resource, Tiene Tooki Kanou

On 9^th October 2020, Kiribati Institute of Technology (KIT) and Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) renewed a formal partnership agreement that will continue the collaboration between the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) providers until June 2022.

The Secretary for the Ministry of Employment and Human Resource, Tiene Tooki Kanoua signed on behalf of KIT in the presence of the Australian High Commissioner to Kiribati, H.E. Bruce Cowled in Kiribati; and Secondary Secretary, Karley Walton and KIT Director and Kiribati Facility Team Leader, Peter Langbien were present over a virtual conference call with APTC Chief Executive Officer, Soli Middleby.

KIT is supported by the Kiribati Facility, an Australian Government program delivered through KIT which encompasses the Skills for Employment Program and the Flexible Support Facility.

The Kiribati Facility is approaching 10 years of support at KIT and has been involved in the development of key partnerships regionally and internationally to increase employment opportunities and labour mobility for I-Kiribati through delivering high quality inclusive skills training at KIT.

“The mutual benefits of this partnership are professional development and mentoring of KIT trainers, assistance to develop new courses at KIT and the provision of an office on campus for the APTC in-country coordinator and promotion of pathways to APTC courses,” said KIT Director and Kiribati Facility Team Leader, Peter Langbien.

He added that the Partnership Framework Agreement and associated Contribution Agreement being signed are designed to ensure that both organisations work efficiently and effectively together with minimal duplication of effort and resources.

“Together with the associated Joint Management Committee meetings, that form part of the mechanism, the partnership will ensure that we can both plan ahead together in a more considered way to strengthen both institutions for the good of all I-Kiribati,” he said.