The Solomon Islands Tertiary Education and Skills Authority (SITESA) has endorsed five new national qualifications designed to strengthen the Solomon Islands’ workforce in the hospitality and tourism industry and correctional services.
The endorsement of these qualifications is a significant step in equipping Solomon Islanders with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive local industry while addressing the country’s growing tourism and hospitality sector demands.
The qualifications are tailored to meet the diverse needs of growing industries and cover various competencies essential to the hospitality and tourism sectors, including customer service excellence, food and beverage operations, tourism accommodation services, and supervisory roles.
They combine practical training with theoretical knowledge, ensuring graduates are job-ready and prepared to excel in their fields.
Constance Nasi, the Solomon Islands Tertiary Education Skills Authority’s Chief Executive said the qualifications reflect SITESA’s commitment to ensuring Solomon Islanders receive relevant, high-quality training aligned with industry standards.
“By endorsing these programs, we are fostering workforce readiness and empowering our young people to be competitive in national and regional hospitality and tourism markets together with the domestic correctional services labour force,” Nasi said.
She extended her heartfelt gratitude to Australia through the Australia Pacific Training Coalition for their invaluable support in finalising these qualifications, as their collaboration had been instrumental in advancing the Solomon Islands’ skills sector and improving the country’s workforce.
Nasi officially signed the new national qualification in the presence of Goldie John Lusi, Director of the National Development Division at SITESA; Doreen Alfred, Director of the Strategic Planning and Performance Division at SITESA; and Andrea Bateman from APTC, who contributed to its development.
Australian High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, Rod Hilton, congratulated SITESA on the landmark achievement and recognised its importance for the Solomon Islands’ economic growth and human resource development.
“This endorsement represents a significant milestone in the Solomon Islands’ journey toward workforce development and economic resilience,” Hilton said.
“Australia, through APTC, is proud to collaborate with SITESA in equipping Solomon Islanders with the skills and qualifications they need to build brighter futures for themselves and their communities,” he added.
“These qualifications align with Australia’s broader commitment to build a skilled and capable workforce across Solomon Islands, creating opportunities for young people to thrive in their local economy while contributing to sustainable development.”
The new qualifications include: Certificate II in Hospitality and Tourism, Certificate III in Hospitality (Food and Beverage), Certificate III in Hospitality (Tourism and Accommodation Services), Certificate IV in Hospitality and Tourism (Supervision), and Certificate III in Correctional Practice.
