Secretary puts workforce development centre stage
LONNIE Baki, Secretary for the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), has put workforce development centre stage during PNG Resources Week 2026 in Port Moresby this week.
Speaking during the "Aligning education development with future workforce and industry needs" session, the secretary highlighted the importance of partnerships between higher and technical education and industry in preparing Papua New Guinea's future workforce.
"Industry must continue to play a central role in shaping training programmes so that graduates possess the skills employers actually require. By maintaining this partnership, we can bridge the gap between education and employment while advancing national development.
The secretary said Papua New Guinea's future workforce depends on education that is accessible, high quality and relevant to industry. With an average of 28,600 students completing secondary education each year, he highlighted initiatives including HELP, TESAS, Higher Education Capital Investment Programme and digital systems that improve access to quality higher and technical education.
He said reforms are also strengthening governance and quality assurance. Five TVET National Training Packages have recently been approved, with a further five under development. Together, they will provide around 75 nationally recognised qualifications aligned with industry needs.
“Our universities and our TVET institutions are complementary pillars of our higher education system. TVET should be recognised as a pathway to meaningful employment and lifelong learning,” he ssaid.
The session also featured Professor Ora Renagi, Vice Chancellor of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology and Professor Ian Findlay, Vice Chancellor of University of Papua New Guinea, reflecting the shared role of government, education and industry in preparing Papua New Guinea's future workforce.
The secretary acknowledged the Australian Government’s ongoing support for TVET reform in PNG through Strongim Wok Long TVET (SWLT), Pacific Australia Skills (PAS) and the Improved TVET for Employment Project (iTVET4E).
Visitors to PNG Resources Week 2026 can visit the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) exhibition booth to learn more about higher and technical education, TVET reform and career pathways. The booth will also feature live student demonstrations on 17–18 July.
Tracy, a second-year Building and Construction student from the Southern Highlands, said: "This country is a developing country and it's going to need more builders. That's why I chose this course."
Her words reflect the message of World Youth Skills Day: investing in young people today is essential to building Papua New Guinea's future workforce.”
Comments