Japan’s Nippon Foundation has committed to supporting the establishment of a TAFE School of Trade in Solomon Islands.
Prime Minister Matthew Wale welcomed the commitment following discussions with visiting Nippon Foundation Executive Managing Director Takashi Arikawa.
Arikawa is in Honiara to help finalise arrangements for the proposed institution.
The discussions follow Prime Minister Wale’s recent meeting with Nippon Foundation Honorary Chair Yohei Sasakawa during his visit to Tokyo.
Prime Minister Wale said the proposed TAFE institution would help provide the skilled workforce needed to transform Solomon Islands’ economy.
He said the Government wants to move the country towards a more productive economy based on manufacturing and processing.
“We hope to build at least four of these TAFE institutions across the country, and I am grateful that the Nippon Foundation has committed to assisting us with the establishment of one,” Wale said.
He said expanding technical and vocational education and training is also a key part of the Government’s broader education policy.
Arikawa said the Nippon Foundation team will meet officials from the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development this afternoon.
The meeting will focus on advancing plans for the new institution.
He said Mr Sasakawa is keen to support Solomon Islands in education and help advance the priorities of the GREAT Coalition Government.
Prime Minister Wale also announced that the new institution will be named in honour of the Sasakawa family.
He said the name would recognise the family’s support for education and skills development in Solomon Islands.
Wale said the Government looks forward to working closely with the Nippon Foundation to deliver the project.
He said the institution would provide Solomon Islanders with new opportunities to gain technical and vocational skills.
These skills, he said, will be critical to driving the country’s economic transformation.
