The East Central Guadalcanal Constituency has created history by choosing a path that will equip its constituents with Canadian standard education, training and opportunity for labour mobility.
East Central Guadalcanal signed the historic agreement with Canadian International Training & Education Corp [CITREC].
The agreement was signed in the presence of hundreds of constituents who attended the event at Aola.
The event was also attended by Guadalcanal Province members of the provincial Assembly, Chiefs, community and church leaders, and youths.
East Central Guadalcanal Member of Parliament Lazarus Alfred Rimah, while signing the agreement, hailed the partnership saying his constituents look forward to the opportunity to be trained in Canadian education that will equip them with Canadian standards while seeking labour mobility opportunities with Canadian employers.
CITREC Chair Ashwant Dwivedi, who was the guest of honour, said that the inclusion of East Central Guadalcanal constituents into the program is God’s will and a dream that has come true for the newly elected MP Rima and many ECG constituents.
“MP Rimah’s foresight in undertaking this endeavour for his people, reflects his commitment and dedication to bringing positive change,” Chair Dwivedi said.
During the signing of the agreement, Rima said that the program signified an extraordinary undertaking as East Central Guadalcanal Constituency is one of the largest constituencies in Guadalcanal province geographically.
“We have more than 20 thousand people and the launch of the CITREC program directly for my constituency provides a promising opportunity to my people, especially to those who are youths and are school dropouts,” he said.
“Therefore, the launch of the CITREC program is a beacon of hope for my people.
“We have witnessed the results of the CITREC partnership during my time at Guadalcanal Province, it has shaped the lives of youths and created education and labour mobility opportunities for them.
“For most of them who now call Canada their permanent home they went to Canada under the CITREC-Guadalcanal education and labour mobility partnership.
“I am confident my constituents, especially the youths will soon be able to take part in the same opportunity as part of our partnership.
“I can’t wait to send my people to put their Canadian education and knowledge to work as part of labour mobility.
“CITREC program and the opportunity it provides is a household talk and name in the province of Guadalcanal.
“The initial creation of the program in the past has resonated to its wider effect that has a positive impact on the people of Guadalcanal and this has helped contribute to the growing interest among the people of my constituency.
“The establishment of the CITREC partnership is a blessing for my people.
“It is a dream come true. Our dreams of its establishment today will bring significant benefit not only to my constituents but to the province of Guadalcanal and Solomon Islands as well.”
East Central Constituents celebrate following the signing of the CITREC agreement at Aola last week.(photo supplied)
Rima further said that the establishment of the CITREC program will help propel interest among the youths of his constituency who have been seeking such an opportunity to be job ready.
” The permanent residency pathway is an interest to my people as well as CITREC has delivered successful results creating pathways for our people working closely with Canada’s employers,” MP Rimah said.
“I strongly believe that with the implementation of the CITREC program it will provide much needed opportunity especially to the youths helping them advance their education, training and skills to help them meet Canadian standards allowing them to be job ready.’
Rimah said that it is unfortunate that most of the youths of his constituency who have formal education are still in search of opportunities and that youth unemployment remains a serious concern.
“Our youths are energetic and enthusiastic people and have objectives in their lives. Most of them are university graduates.
‘However, most of them at the same time only have formal education without being employed. Our unemployed youths are becoming a major challenge at the national level and that is why having the CITREC program creates hope for them.
‘Their future and hope for our community, constituents, the province of Guadalcanal and Solomon Islands as well,” Rimah said.
Guadalcanal Provincial MPA for Aola Ward, Clement Kilua, who was also present at the event commended the Partnership.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank MP Rimah for his initiative in bringing CITREC to the people of his constituency which will also include Aola ward that I represent as their MPA,” Kilua said.
“Today’s gathering here to witness the event is a historic one at Aola to host and witness the signing of the agreement. This is both a historic and significant event,” Kilua said.
He added that the signing ceremony is also historic as East Central Guadalcanal becomes the first constituency in Guadalcanal to sign the agreement with CITREC at that level.
“It is historical in the sense that this partnership has now expanded not at the provincial level but at the constituency level. Thanks to Hon. Rimah for this great initiative and to Chair of CITREC for making this possible,” Kilua said.
He also congratulated CITREC for delivering on its partnership.
“I am fully aware of the results partnership between CITREC and Guadalcanal province through the CITREC program has delivered as part of its partnership with both in terms of training and labour opportunities in Canada for the people of Guadalcanal in the past years.
“I must salute you for this partnership and I am pleased to say that I am aware of the extreme benefit of the program because one person who went to Canada is from the Aola ward.”
Kilua further said that the CITREC Chair and delegation’s visit shows the seriousness and commitment towards community building.
“Your delegation visit today I hope will see and will identify the greater needs in our constituency in terms of development and most importantly the opportunities that will be created through this partnership.
“This partnership will enhance training for our young people and in the long term provide Canadian standard education and employment opportunities which will help enhance positive contribution in improving our standard of living and support our local economy.”
The event was also graced by the presence of Guadalcanal Province MPA Alfred Siake Lini, who is also Guadalcanal’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development.
During his three-day visit to the Solomon Islands by Chair Dwivedi he also met with Officials of the Province of Guadalcanal.
Premier William Atu has emphasized that partnering with the Canadian International Training & Education Corp (CITREC) is a top priority for the Guadalcanal Provincial Government.
This was confirmed during a formal meeting between Premier Atu and Chair Dwivedi.
The two leaders met on Tuesday last week at the Guadalcanal Provincial headquarters.
Premier Atu reaffirmed his government’s commitment to reopening the program soon and is well aligned with the newly launched 2024-2028 policy strategy.
He acknowledged Chair Dwivedi’s ongoing support.
Guadalcanal was Solomon Islands’ first province that signed its partnership agreement with CITREC that, apart from seasonal labour mobility, also created a pathway to permanent residency.
