APTC is delivering an Australian Certificate IV in Youth Work for Honiara City Council to 20 volunteer youth workers in Solomon Islands, in a skills development program funded by the Australian Government with tuition fees paid by ChildFund NZ.
ChildFund NZ and Honiara City Council identified the need for specialist skills and knowledge to create and facilitate programs that address the social, behavioural, health, welfare, developmental and protection needs for young people in Solomon Islands. In line with the Solomon Islands' Government focus on youth through the National Youth Policy 2017 – 2030 the partners have established a Youth Hub that will offer a counselling service and wellbeing programs for young people.
The partners approached APTC to request support for this initiative through high quality training for youth workers. APTC’s 22-week program resources and delivery were tailored to the individual learning needs of the participants and drew on the participants own experience and local examples, such as the services and programs provided by Honiara City Council, to ensure the training was highly relevant and applicable.
Training in this field will help me to identify young people that are at risk as a consequence of drugs, alcohol and substance abuse. Such technical skills are crucial for me to support towards youth development in Honiara.’
Dudley Tauwauri (course participant)
The class has hosted guest speakers from local youth and community services organisations including Seif Ples, Save the Children, Oxfam, Dream Cast, Social Welfare Division, Honiara Youth Council among others, and students have curiously and respectfully engaged with these industry representatives to gain further insight into the course work and build their professional network. As an essential part of the program, students have undergone work placement at the Honiara City Council, Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association, Honiara Youth Council, Live and Learn, Dreamcast and Family Support Centre.
Students are developing personally as well as professionally. Throughout the course students are encouraged to reflect on their own values and attitudes and the issues faced by their communities to make sense of the frameworks of youth work practice. The course explores concepts such as equality, accessibility, transparency and empowerment.
‘As a woman I will help the other women in the community to see that women and girls have the opportunity to work and they can speak out on community issues.’
Sepi Alu (course participant)
APTC is proud to provide the participants with the professional skills, knowledge and employability skills to build their capability to support Solomon Islands youth and improve their employment opportunities. Trainer Samantha Cooper comments, “It has been inspiring to see students analyse and explore how to apply youth work practices to their cultural and community context.”
On completion of the program, successful participants will be eligible to receive the Australian qualification CHC40413 Certificate IV in Youth Work, issued by TAFE Queensland (RTO 0275). They will deliver wellbeing programs and workshops within the youth centre and outreach programs into the community.
‘We are discussing real issues that young people are facing today. To me, it is not just about employment. To me it is what I am passionate about. I really believe that our future depends entirely on the next generation. I should try to create that environment where young people can utilize their potential but they haven’t had the chance to realise it. I will work for the betterment of our people, tribe and country.’
Brad Puia (course participant)