TVET PROGRAM SANMA UPDATE JULY & AUGUST 2011

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1 TVET Sector Strengthening Program PO Box 528 Luganville, Espiritu Santo T: (678) F: (678) Vanuatu Government Mr Joel Path Secretary General SANMA Province 13 September 2011 TVET PROGRAM SANMA UPDATE JULY & AUGUST 2011 Secretary General, Please find below a brief report on key activity undertaken by the TVET Sector Strengthening Program to improve the quality of, and access to, training delivery in SANMA Province in support of provincial development for the months of July and August. You will have noted that you did not receive a report for the month of June in light of the reporting information you received at the Strategic Advisory Meeting during that month. Thanks again for your valuable contribution at that important event. 1. Employment and Training Fund (ETF) Training The Sanma TVET Centre coordinated seven ETF trainings during this period. From 27 June 8 July, Saint Michel College delivered another Small Engine Maintenance and Repair training, due to the high demand for skills in this area. This time the training took place at Palon in South East Santo, and it was the first time that these community members had access to skills training of this nature since Independence. The Chief expressed his deep gratitude during the Closing Ceremony and confirmed that despite their low literacy and numeracy rates, community members would now be able to save considerable amounts of money due to the fact that they could now repair and maintain their own machines. 1

2 Trainees from Rural Fishing Training in Malo From 4 8 July, the Vanuatu Agriculture College (VAC) delivered training in Planting Vegetables. Most of the participants were TVET Centre Business Development Services (BDS) clients who have their own small crop farms and who required further skills development in specific aspects of horticulture to increase their harvesting outcomes. A follow-up BDS workshop is planned for these same clients in Marketing Preparation and Pricing. During the same time period the VAC also delivered three other trainings in Raising Pigs, Raising Chickens and Raising Cattle. This was the first time a modular training in Raising Cattle accredited by the VNTC has been delivered in the Province. 2

3 From 8-19 August, the Vanuatu Maritime College (VMC) delivered training in Rural Fishing and Small Vessel Operation at Avunabulu in Malo. This training focused on developing the skills of members of the newly created Fishermen Association who have just completed building canoes in preparation to commence fishing in the locations recently identified as having strong fishing potential. The VMC also delivered the same module in Pesena, Big Bay. 2. Business Development Services (BDS) Rural Fishing Training in Big Bay As part of the BDS Tourism Coaching Program launched in April, program participants undertook a workshop on Basics of Microsoft Word and IT delivered by the TVET Centre IT trainer, Martin Mahe from July. While basic IT skills are essential to the successful management of a tourism business, all ten participants had no prior experience with using a computer and therefore all found the workshop highly useful and relevant. At the end of the training, participants were able to use Microsoft Word to produce simple promotional materials for their tourism products. Workshops on Bungalow Tariffs and Basic Marketing were also delivered to Tourism program participants during the month of August. One of the participants, Timmy, a longstanding Tour Operator in Santo, made the following comment about his involvement in the Tourism program so far: I have been in this business for about 10 years. I thought I was doing well but in reality I realize that I am still a long way off but if I continue to get new ideas through the TVET Centre program, it will increase my turnover each year compared to what I currently earn. 3

4 In association with the Department of Cooperatives, the Centre organized follow-up to the newly created Savings and Loans Society in West Coast and North West Santo from July. The main focus of this activity was to assist them with cash savings recordings as well as to assist them register as cooperatives under the Cooperatives Act. Two workshops on Vanilla Husbandry and Techniques and Vanilla Curing were delivered to 37 vanilla farmers in Big Bay area during July and August. 3. Monitoring and Evaluation Lead Vanilla Farmer Follow-ups to measure the post-training outcomes for ETF and BDS TVET Centre clients continued throughout July and August with data collection taking place in Luganville, Big Bay, and North, South and East Santo. The second TVET Centre-produced DVD, Laef I Jenis was screened in all communities where follow-ups were conducted, with audiences expressing appreciation for the impact that the Centres were making in the lives of people in the Province. 4. Other A Graduation Ceremony was held on Thursday 25 August at the Chiefs Nakamal for trainees who have completed skills development courses recently delivered through the Centre. Graduates included: 4 graduates of the 'Vocational Foundation Business Management' course delivered by the Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce. 18 graduates of the nationally recognized 'Train the Trainer' course delivered by the Vanuatu Institute of Technology. 15 graduates of the 'Redi Blo Bisnis' coaching program conducted in partnership with Youth Challenge Vanuatu and the Department of Cooperatives. 4

5 The fact that 4 trainees, with limited prior formal education, have been able to complete a full qualification in Business Management demonstrates how the TVET Centre is bringing flexible and modular training to the Province and enabling people in rural areas to build up a full qualification over time without being based in an institution. Graduates from the Train the Trainer Program The TVET Centre staff have been working very hard to achieve these results and we look forward to continued positive outcomes for the benefit of the people of SANMA province. Sincerely, Anna Gibert Team Leader, TVET Sector Strengthening Program Cc: Sakaraia Daniel, SANMA Provincial Planner Jimmy Solomon, SANMA PTB Chair Joe Iautim, Director, Ministry of Youth Development, Sports and Training David Lambukly, CEO, VNTC Moulin Tabouti, SANMA TVET Centre Manager Fremden Shadrack, BDS Manager Christelle Thieffry, Senior Program Officer, AusAID 5