The CEO of the Vanuatu Qualifications Authority (VQA), Mr David Lambukly, participated in the first ever Pacific Skills Summit.
The Pacific Skills Summit 2019 was hosted by the University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji, at the USP, Laucala Campus, for 2 days: 25 and 26 June 2019.
According to the APTC chief executive officer, Soli Middleby’s statement in the Fiji Sun, this summit brought together 37 thinkers, futurists, leaders and practitioners from private sectors, civil society, regional organisations, national governments, development partners from 12 countries of the Pacific.
This year’s Summit’s objectives were to stimulate innovative and practical approaches that will strengthen the Pacific people’s skills and possibly address skills challenges to have a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive Pacific region.
Over 300 people from around the Pacific region participated in the platform. Topics for discussion within the two days include: the future of work; the state of Pacific skills; addressing skills gaps and strengthening standards; a spotlight on innovation; and next generation skills for the Blue Pacific.
The Pacific Skills Summit was launched last year (2018) by the President of the Republic of Nauru, Baron Divavesi Waqa, during the 49th Pacific Islands Forum, as a key deliverable under the Pacific Skills Partnership. The Pacific Skills Partnership was established with respect to skills requirements, a Pacific-led collaboration on skills-based, and real-life outcomes for Pacific people that are necessary for a sustainable Pacific region.
In support of the Blue Pacific vision for our region, and in alignment with objectives of Pacific development frameworks, in particular the Framework for Pacific Regionalism (FPR) and the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF), the Pacific Skills Summit will:
- Identify and assess existing skills development and labour market contexts in the Pacific;
- Promote the importance of investing in skills development as a key contributor to addressing labour markets demands and needs;
- Advance future skills development and investment; and
- Advocate for the strategic importance of skills development in realising regional and global sustainable development efforts.
The VQA chief executive officer, Mr Lambukly, says “We must prepare today’s learners to have the skills that meet future challenges and opportunities. VQA, as the Vanuatu national regulator of the PSET system, will explore and find the right policies and partnerships to address these issues. Pacific Skills Summit will not only we will address skills imbalances, but will also create employment pathways.”
VQA is the national regulator of the PSET system of Vanuatu and works in partnership with Vanuatu Skills Partnership and the Tertiary Education Directorate to improve quality standards of education in the PSET system.