𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝟱𝟬𝟬 𝗧𝗩𝗘𝗧 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀

Australia will provide 500 new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholarships to young Solomon Islanders in 2025, reaffirming its commitment to skills development in the Solomon Islands.

The scholarships, valued at SBD7.2 million, will cover tuition fees, meals, and accommodation for students at 10 Rural Training Centres across Solomon Islands.  Delivered under the Solomon Islands-Australia Partnership, the Australia Skills Award aims to enhance access to quality TVET qualifications.

The Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, Honourable Tozen Leokana, and the Australian High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, officially signed the funding agreement at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Honiara.

Minister Leokana thanked Australia for delivering on the commitment made by Foreign Minister Penny Wong during her 2024 visit.

“The funding received will strengthen skills development and education provision in Solomon Islands, and on behalf of the Government of Solomon Islands, I would like to say, we deeply value the partnership between our two countries,” Minster Leokana said.

“This support aligns with my ministry’s ongoing TVET reforms. We are now working on a TVET Bill, which will provide a strong framework for the management and development of TVET programs in the country.”

High Commissioner Hilton said Australia’s funding of the 500 scholarships will help develop a skilled workforce and boost economic development in Solomon Islands.

“Our two nations have worked closely together to strengthen education and skills in Solomon Islands for more than a generation now,” High Commissioner Hilton said.

“We will continue to support tertiary education and the TVET sector in Solomon Islands, so young Solomon Islanders get the right skills and knowledge they need to address the challenges of tomorrow.”

The scholarships will provide qualifications in key industries, including construction, automotive, tourism, hospitality, and agribusiness.  Some programs will offer Australian accreditation, ensuring graduates possess work-ready skills and industry experience to improve their employability.

Australia funded 494 TVET scholarships in 2024. The Australia Skills Award complements other Australian skills development initiatives, including the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC), which has delivered over 16,000 qualifications in Solomon Islands, including at Rural Training Centres across Guadalcanal, Malaita, Western, and Isabel Provinces.

Media Release | AHC