Samoa and Australia Invest in Better Facilities, Stronger Skills and Greater Opportunities

Students and trainees at Don Bosco Technical Centre and Laumua o Punaoa Methodist Technical Centre are benefiting from new training equipment and tools and upgraded training facilities through support by the Australian Government, delivered through Pacific Australia Skills.

The investment supports the delivery of quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Samoa by providing learners with access to modern, industry-relevant equipment and improved learning environments that better reflect workplace standards and requirements.

At Don Bosco Technical Centre, the investment is also supporting an approach to training that places equal importance on knowledge, practical skills and the attitudes students take with them into the workplace.

Father Bernard Graham of Don Bosco Technical Centre said the value of the investment extends beyond the equipment itself.

“At Don Bosco, we talk about knowledge, skills and attitude. Training is not only about what students learn in the classroom, but how they use that knowledge and carry themselves when they enter the workplace.”

Father Bernard Graham of Don Bosco Technical Centre.

“The skills and machinery are important, but it is the way we use them, and the purpose behind them, that really matters. In hospitality, that means understanding that you are not just providing a service, you are welcoming people and sharing a human experience with them.”

Father Bernard also highlighted how the investment is fostering collaboration across different fields within the school.

“We also see that spirit of partnership within our own school. Our construction students contributed to the woodwork for the hospitality area, so students from different fields are learning from one another and contributing to each other’s work. That is an important part of their education too.”

Meg Somers, Second Secretary Political/Economic for the Australian High Commission in Samoa, said the investment demonstrates Australia’s ongoing commitment to strengthening quality skills development opportunities for Samoans.

“The resources are important, but the real investment is in the people who will use them. For students, access to practical, industry-relevant equipment helps build confidence and workplace skills and prepares them for employment and future opportunities.”

“For trainers, these upgrades provide the tools and resources to deliver stronger hands- on learning. For employers, they contribute to a pipeline of graduates who are better prepared for the expectations of the workplace.”

Pacific Australia Skills also works closely with training providers to strengthen accreditation, curriculum and course development, quality assurance, and trainer and assessor capability.

The investment demonstrates how partnerships between government, training providers and development partners can support practical improvements within Samoa’s TVET system while creating learning environments that respond to the needs of students, trainers and industry.

The initiative reflects Pacific Australia Skills’ commitment to supporting Samoa’s national development priorities by strengthening the quality, accessibility and industry relevance of TVET and creating pathways for more Samoans to gain the skills needed for meaningful and sustainable employment.