In order to implement the transformative shift in this third phase, APTC is dedicated to building and maintaining robust relationships with partners and stakeholders using a robust suite of services that includes conducting political economy analysis (PEA),
applying principles of thinking and working politically (TWP) and brokering partnerships using the Partnership Brokering Association (PBA) approach.
PBA applies principles of equity, transparency, mutual accountability, respect, trust and engagement, which are critical to developing robust transformative relationships between APTC and national TVET partners. These principles are incorporated in Partnership Frameworks, which
are the foundational partnership documents. Other partnerships and coalitions are formalized via Memorandums of Agreements, Partnership Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding and Letters of Agreements.
APTC has therefore created the Partnership and Coalitions Unit to support Country Directors and Senior Management in the development, brokering and management of partnerships. The Unit is also responsible for the implementation, administration and management
of the TVET Systems Strengthening Platform (TSSP) to support and incentivize TVET reform initiatives by APTC’s partners.
The TSSP is made up of three components as follows:
Institutional Partnerships
APTC works with TVET institutions across the region to co-create partnerships focused on locally led reform that strengthens Pacific TVET institutions and systems sustainably. These institutional partnerships are crucial enablers
for the TSSP – providing entry points, enabling APTC to work with these partners to influence and support TVET reforms in their respective countries, and enabling collective engagement with other local actors (including individuals and groups
from government, private sector or civil society) in support of locally owned, led and driven TVET reform processes.
A summary of APTC’s current partnerships and coalitions are as follows:
A. Partnerships
| Country | Institution |
|---|
| Papua New Guinea | Port Moresby Technical College |
| Samoa | National University of Samoa |
| Solomon Islands | Don Bosco Technical Institute |
| Vanuatu | Vanuatu Institute of Technology |
| | Vila North School |
| | Anglican Church Of Melanesia Vocational Education & Technical School |
| | Vanuatu Skills Partnership |
| Fiji | Fiji National University |
| Regional | University of the South Pacific |
| Country | Partner |
|---|
| Papua New Guinea | Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology |
| Samoa | Samoa Qualifications Authority |
| Solomon Islands | Ministry of Education & Human Resources Department |
| Vanuatu | Credit Corporation |
| Fiji | Fiji Higher Education Commission |
| | Fiji Australia Business Council |
| | Construction Industry Council |
| | Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association |
| Regional | International |
|---|
| South Pacific Tourism Organisation | PLAN International |
| UNDP – Pacific Financial Inclusion Program | United Nations Development Program |
| Secretariat of the Pacific Community | International Finance Corporation |
| SPC – Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance | Oxfam International |
| UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption | |
B. Coalitions
1. Personnel and Associated Costs
Costs associated with the Partnership and Coalitions Unit staff based in Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands as well as other roles that support TVET systems strengthening across the breadth of APTC’s operations.
2. Incentive Fund
This funding is intended to allow the TSSP to support additional reform opportunities where they emerge, and to incentivize and catalyse new thinking. A wide range of activities may be supported including technical assistance; convening workshops
or symposiums; conducting or commissioning research, including data collection and analysis; facilitating South-South exchanges and peer-to-peer learning; strategic planning and engagement (such as the use of PEA to gain an understanding of context,
actors, structures, etc., and using a TWP approach to plan strategic interventions).
| Incentive Fund Case | Partners | Summary |
|---|
| Inclusive Education Program - Vanuatu | Freshwota Bilingual School, Vila North School, Ministry of Education & Training – Vanuatu. | The inclusive education program focused on using local school councils and resources to support inclusive education programs. It is a robust initiative that targets early childhood, which fosters the development of literacy skills and
continuous learning. |
| Pacific Skills Summit - Regional | Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Pacific Islands Association of Non-Government Organisation, DFAT, University of the South Pacific, Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation, Government of Nauru, Fiji Higher Education Commission, Fiji
Commerce & Employers Federation, International Labour Organisation, Secretariat of the Pacific Community – Educational Quality & Assessment Programme. | The Pacific Skills Summit was a multi-stakeholder forum that was convened as an outcome of the Pacific Skills Partnership in addressing the theme of the Summit – Innovation and Sustainable Skills for the Blue Pacific. The objectives
of the Summit were to identify and assess existing skills development and labor markets; promote the importance of skills development; advancement of future skills development and investment; and advocate for the strategic importance
of skills development in the regional and global development efforts. |
| Fashion Incubation Center - Fiji | Fiji National University | The case builds on the current partnership between FNU and APTC – with the business case supporting the provision of technical advisory services to the re-establishment of FNU’s Fashion Incubation Centre – providing a
working platform for graduates of FNU and APTC to apply their craft. |