Empowering Rural Youth Through Skills: Hatanga Visits Batuna RTC

Across the Solomon Islands, Rural Training Centres (RTCs) have become vital gateways for young people seeking practical skills, employment, and self-reliance.

In a country where about 85 percent of the population lives in rural communities, these centres are helping bridge the gap between education and livelihood — equipping youth with tools to build their futures and contribute to national development.

Recognizing this critical role, Hatanga Ltd, one of the country’s leading construction and infrastructure companies, looking into possible opportunities to strengthen partnerships with RTCs as a way to empower rural youth.

Hatanga’s Managing Director, Jay Bartlett, was in Seghe for work recently and in that time did a visit to Batuna Rural Training Centre (RTC) in Western Province — an experience he described as both eye-opening and inspiring.

Bartlett in his LinkedIn post said the visit was not just about infrastructure or construction projects but about creating meaningful opportunities for young people in rural Solomon Islands.

“With around 85% of our population living rurally, Rural Training Centres play a vital role in equipping our young people with the skills and knowledge they need — especially those in the provinces,” Bartlett said.

It was his first visit to an RTC, and he expressed appreciation for the warm welcome from the principal, teachers, and students. The Hatanga team was given a tour of Batuna’s facilities, classrooms, and curriculum — offering a deeper understanding of how these centres operate and the important role they play in community education.

During the visit, Bartlett and the school’s management discussed practical ways to strengthen collaboration through two major projects in Seghe — the Seghe Market Project, funded by the Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program (SIIP) under the Solomon Islands–Australia Partnership, and the Seghe Airport Terminal Project, funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and delivered jointly by Downer and Hatanga Ltd.

Among the proposed initiatives are:

• Student field trips and site visits to construction projects.
• Industry training placements to give students real-world work experience.
• Professional development workshops for teachers; and
• Leadership talks from Hatanga’s management team to inspire students.

“In the coming weeks, we look forward to welcoming Batuna students to our projects in Seghe,” Bartlett said. “We’re excited to share the knowledge and skills we’ve developed over the years to help them build their own craft.”

He said while the company’s contribution may seem small, collective action can have a powerful impact.

“When everyone does a little, we can achieve a lot to prepare the next generation who will build our country,” he said.

Hatanga also plans to extend its engagement to other nearby training centres, such as Seghe RTC, ensuring that infrastructure development projects create pathways for learning and employment among young people in Western Province and beyond.

Bartlett’s visit ended with a moment of reflection when he noticed a paddle carved with the word Batuna in the school’s boat — a symbol he described as deeply meaningful.

“To me, that was a powerful analogy for education — it’s like giving someone a paddle: a tool that helps you navigate the world, find your direction, and move forward on your life journey,” he shared.

“Little by little, step by step — we build tomorrow Together,” Bartlett concluded.