SIAAA Career Connect brings employers and scholarship alumni together in Honiara

Sixteen employers took part in the Solomon Islands Australia Alumni Association’s inaugural Career Connect program at the Mendana Hotel in Honiara, giving new graduates and alumni a valuable opportunity to meet organisations and learn about employment pathways.

The event brought together alumni from Solomon Islands Government scholarships, New Zealand Scholarships and Australia Awards programs, creating a space for them to engage directly with employers, understand recruitment processes and explore internship and employment opportunities.

SIAAA Vice Chairperson Jaydee Nomisasa described the program as an important milestone for the association, noting that it was the first time SIAAA had hosted an event of this kind.

“This has been an exciting morning for all of us,” Jade said. “We are truly thankful to the organisations that accepted our invitation and came out to participate in this event.”

He said the program was designed to support alumni who are entering the workforce, while also encouraging stronger connections between graduates and alumni already serving in leadership roles across various organisations.

Jaydee highlighted the challenges facing young graduates in Solomon Islands, referring to labour market figures which indicate that about 10,000 people graduate each year while only around 2,000 new jobs become available annually.

He said initiatives such as Career Connect can help bridge the gap by giving graduates access to employers and encouraging organisations to consider internships, graduate placements and entry-level opportunities that allow young people to build experience.

He also added feedback from participating organisations and alumni would help shape future Career Connect events, with the association hoping the program can continue as a regular platform for linking scholarship alumni with the labour market.