RURAL youths interested in learning to drive may be able to access driving lessons out of the Ministry of Youth’s district training programs.
According to the Minister for Youth and Sports, Laisenia Tuitubou, there are some pathways for skills training that is designed in consultation with youths at the tikina (district) level.
Mr Tuitubou made the comments in Parliament yesterday in response to a question from Government backbencher Samuela Vunivalu who wanted an explanation on the ministry’s work to creating learning pathways at the Youth Training Centres.
“We now issue a certificate of attainment instead of a certificate of participation because they are more marketable,” Mr Tuitubou explained.
While some youths can use the ministry’s certification to get other jobs, the minister explained that some who chose to pursue higher studies were now able to because they had the necessary bridging qualifications.
Students from two programs, in particular, Certificate III in Carpentry and Certificate IV in Organic Agriculture, were the most population, according to the minister.
“Some of our trainees get the opportunity to pursue further studies in organic agriculture in Japan,” he said.
The third substantial program of study at the Youth Training Centre was the Certificate IV in Music, the graduates of which were showing a lot of promise.
So much so, the ministry has invested in the establishment of a recording studio, the minister said.
The final program is those skills training qualifications which are determined in consultation with youths at the district level.
The minister confirmed that one young person had completed driving lesson at the tikina level through the ministry.
