Australia is supporting TVET students from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) to gain hands-on experience through Australian-supported infrastructure projects across Solomon Islands.

Egah Kapaqole, Priscillar Fakai’a and Delmah Motui recently completed a six-week internship with local contractor Hatanga, which is constructing the new Seghe Market.

Australian High Commissioner Jeff Roach said Australia supports internships and on-the-job training to ensure construction sites are also a place of learning and human capacity development.

“Work experience is the best way for Solomon Islanders to bridge the gap between education and employment,” High Commissioner Roach said.

“Our infrastructure investments not only deliver new infrastructure but also create skilled employment for Solomon Islanders.

“At the Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre, and across market redevelopments in Malu’u, Buala and Seghe, we’ve seen young men and women build their skills and confidence before moving into permanent employment or setting up their own business.

“It’s encouraging to see the impact of Australia’s holistic approach to infrastructure open up a range of pathways for the next generation of local tradespeople.”

The women have undertaken Certificate III and IV Construction training at SINU TAFE, as well as solar photovoltaic systems installation training.

The three women are part of Australia’s women-focused construction and solar PV training program, designed to increase the number of qualified women working in the construction sector.

At Seghe, they have been assisting with the tiling of the new amenity block.

Working with the Hatanga team, they are developing practical skills in site measurements and calculations, tiling, and use of construction tools.

Fakai’a said the practical experience had helped her better understand what she had been learning in class.

“When I started working on site, things made a lot more sense because I could see and do what we had learned in class,” Fakai’a said.

“I really enjoy the hands-on work, and it’s made me even more interested in a career in construction.”

The 100 per cent locally built Seghe Market is now more than 75 per cent complete and will provide safe, accessible market facilities for 120 vendors, and support surrounding communities with 28,000 litres of bore water storage.

The project is part of Australia’s Provincial Markets Redevelopment Program, which is creating local jobs and supporting inclusive economic growth across Solomon Islands.