The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has been commended for its support and training outreach programs such as the one rolled out for the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) teachers in the NGI region this Month, known as the Training of Trainers (TOT) Program in Know About Business in fisheries (KABF).
Last week Friday concluded the 2 weeks program, implemented through a tripartite partnership between the NFA, the National Department of Education (NDoE) and the small to medium enterprises (SME) corporation.
SME Special Advisor and Facilitator from the SME Corporation (SMEC) Edward Kepa who spoke at the closing of the program, commending the NFA for this training as it will impact the youths in the country greatly.
“This tripartite Partnership program is capture under the National Government’s 4th Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP).”
“We signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2022 and as a result, a recommendation was made for this TOT for agriculture and business studies teachers to deliver the National certificate one and two in schools,” he said.
Mr. Kepa stressed while most student end up in the village, such a program is vital to government to help relief the unemployment in the country.
After students graduate with their national certificate, the program comes into place for student to acquire and start their own business and contribute to the socio –Economy development of the country.
“The idea to offload the fisheries training to schools Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) began in 2011 and renewed in 2022 including SME with the signing between the NFA and the technical Vocation Education Training (TVET) Sector of the Education Department.”
Furthermore, stressing the NFA’s commitment to ensure knowledge and skills are imparted to the younger generation so expand he fisheries resources to another level.
East New Britain TVET Inspector Fatima Parapi stressed she will be involved in the assessment teachers will undergo completing the business plan and the action plan before you go back, and documents will be back to the authorities for monitoring and implementation.
“The program is focused on enabling young people to get certified and upskilled to become self-employed in their communities,” she said.
Teachers’ representative Ms. Latoya Biana expressed gratitude to the KABF Program and government agencies and stressed the challenge to put into practice the concepts learnt as it’s not enough to absorb information.
The 2 weeks program had 24 participants from institutions, 14 from West New Britain and 10 ENB and were presented with certificates.