Industry partnership strengthens career pathways for youth

A strategic partnership between the Lae City Authority (LCA), South Pacific International Container Terminal (SPICT) and ICTSI South Pacific, is creating meaningful employment pathways for young people in Papua New Guinea through the Urban Youth Employment Project.

Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the agreement enables young people to participate in structured internships, gaining hands-on work experience within SPICT's operations while building critical employability skills.

The Urban Youth Employment Project II, funded by the World Bank and supported by the PNG Government, is designed to equip unemployed urban youth with practical skills and exposure to formal work environments, ultimately improving their chances of securing long-term employment.

Under this partnership, LCA facilitates the program and provides funding support, while SPICT offers workplace opportunities where participants can apply their training in real-world settings.

Since the internship arrangement commenced in October 2025, SPICT and ICTSI South Pacific have supported two batches of interns through a 65-day structured program. To date, a total of 10 interns have participated, including individuals placed in operations, human resources, as well as health and safety, security, and environment (HSSE) roles.

The initiative is already delivering tangible employment outcomes. Six participants have successfully transitioned into full-time roles within the SPICT Operations Department. These include positions as Checkers and Dockers, with further career progression opportunities identified. Two of the new hires are being prepared to move into Labour Planning roles, while additional career pathways will be determined based on performance and operational needs.

The program follows a comprehensive pathway that begins with community outreach and screening, followed by life skills training, practical work exposure, and ultimately internship placement and employment opportunities. As outlined in the program materials, the internship phase provides 65 days of paid, structured workplace experience designed to “create talents for future employment opportunities.”

“We’re passionate about supporting the local communities we work in, having a youth program like this and developing career pathways is just one way we aim to give to the community in Lae. These programs are critical in the ongoing development of the employment sector here in Lae and ensure young people have real opportunities to succeed in their chosen careers,” said ICTSI South Pacific CEO Robert Maxwell.

This collaboration highlights the critical role of public-private partnerships in addressing youth unemployment and building sustainable career pathways in Papua New Guinea. By combining structured training with real workplace experience, the initiative is helping to develop a skilled, job-ready workforce for the future.