THERE'S a group of women who are drawing the attention of many at the national housing exposition at the Hibiscus Festival in Albert.
The 31 young women from across seven Pacific Island nations are part of the Australian Pacific Training Centre (APTC) painting program.
The women have been painting a house constructed by Housing Options Productions Enterprise (HOPE) using Ferro cement which is the same housing technology that was used to build the recently launched Rakiraki women vendors accommodation.
The women began spray painting the exterior of the Ferro cement house yesterday and anticipated to complete the painting designs and wallpaper inside the house by yesterday.
Emily Tane, a 26-year-old Fijian who was undertaking a bachelor's degree in marine studies decided to leave the program and join APTC to enrol in the two-year certificate in painting and decorating.
The certificate in painting and decorating is a scholarship program that is being funded by AusAID and is targeted at early school leavers who meet the aptitude test and aims to empower young women across the region with skills that would enable them to earn a source of income.
"I like the program as it is very hands on and I am already starting to earn money that I use to help my parents and family.
"I have also made close friends with other young women from across the region and we will support each to set up our own businesses in the future," said Ms Tane.