Graduate continues to build skills on major projects

John Heagi during his training in the Trade Qualification Programme at Metoreia Urban Health Centre from 2023 - 2024

JOHN Heagi built on his existing carpentry and trade skills, through hands-on training while working on the construction of the Metoreia Urban Health

Centre.

Now a certified carpenter, he supports construction across projects, including classrooms and staff accommodation buildings.

A local of Hanuabada - where the health centre is located - John joined the construction industry in 2023 through the inaugural Trade Qualifications Programme, an initiative under Australia's Economic and Social Infrastructure Programme.

The programme takes a locally led approach to building skills across Papua New Guinea, and ensures diversity and inclusion are represented and normalised during early career stages.

As a carpentry trainee, he worked on the Metoreia Urban Health Centre, helping to deliver a facility that now serves thousands of people from across Poreporena communities, Port Moresby, surrounding districts, even parts of Central and Gulf Provinces.

He graduated with a National Trade Certificate in Carpentry, as part of a cohort of 21 trainees across carpentry, plumbing and metal fabrication.

As one of two graduates in the cohort with hearing impairment, John demonstrated strong observational skills on site and has since taken on a broader role within his team.

"I'm happy to be involved in many stages of construction and I enjoy helping my team beyond carpentry - whether it is foundation work like concrete mixing or steel fixing. It really builds my confidence to know that I'm an important part of the team," John says.

Before joining the programme - and being retained by the contractor - John developed basic skills in carpentry, plumbing, and metal fabrication through a local urban youth initiative in his community.

The Trade Qualification programme then helped him build on this experience through practical on-the-job training and formal assessment.

Since completing the programme, John has continued to strengthen his skills and taken on additional responsibilities, including masonry and concrete work, steel fixing and reading site plans and drawings.

"He has been an important part of the team since working on the Metoreia Urban Health Centre project and has continued to develop his capabilities, contributing across multiple aspects of construction," said his supervisor, Gamini Gamini.

John's journey shows how skills development initiatives are helping Papua New Guineans to build practical experience, access employment and contribute to the delivery of essential infrastructure.

After being retained by the building contractor following graduation, Trade Qualifications Programme graduate John Heagi is now working on his third project, expanding his skills across masonry, concrete work and steel fixing with support from his supervisor, Gamini Gamini.