“I’d like to work behind a bar but I just want a job, any kind of job and I need a qualification” - Titania
With jobs as the heart and focus of their programmes, 17 students at the Martin Hautus Institute (M.H.I.) will put into practice the theory learned over the past six months of their year-long course.
On Friday and Saturday from 7 to 11pm, students will take turns serving the public at the M.H.I. Café and Bar, named ‘Tui’s Hut’.
As well as Tui’s Hut, the Institute at Tiapapata off Cross Island Road consists of Samoan-style fales which include an office, classrooms, a computer centre and accommodation.
“We will be serving light meals and have a liquor license for bar service,” said co Founder and Director, Maretta Solomon.
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“They will work under the watchful eyes of their tutors, Fa’amanuia Vaeono and Christina Silva.
“We are preparing our students to take part in work experience in hotels, restaurants and cafes during the latter part of this year.”
“It’s real skills for the real world,” she said of the programme.
M.H.I.’s point of difference is that they incorporate a strong work experience component into their programme with a view to employment at the successful completion of their certificates or diplomas.
It is this factor which convinced 20 year old student Pepetonga Osana from Falelatiu to enrol.
Pepe has already got some work history after employment at the Orator Hotel as well as a stint as an aircraft cleaner Faleolo.
However she said she has realized there are a lot more things she needs to learn.
“I want to continue on with my education. Tourism is one of the biggest industries throughout the world and while providing good customer service is one of the key skills, I didn’t realize you also need to know about health and safety.”
“I know that I need that paper, that qualification.”
“What I have learned here is that you need to make people welcome so that they feel as comfortable as they would in their own homes.”
“Titania is really good at that,” she said about her fellow student, Titania Saega.
“He has a great smile which makes people forget their troubles.“
Seventeen year old Titania who came straight from Maluafou College is also aware of the importance of training and acquiring skills.
“I’d like to work behind a bar but I just want a job, any kind of job and for that, I need a qualification,” he said.
The Martin Hautus Institute (M.H.I.), the Pacific Peoples Learning Institute, was first established in New Zealand by Pulotu Arthur and Maretta Solomon in 1990, who saw the divide in education for school leavers (who did not gain university entrance) and also mature learners.
Earlier this year, they set up M.H.I. Samoa at Tiapapata .
While some of their students have outside jobs, the majority are not yet employed.
“We have been talking to owners of tourism and hospitality establishments and one suggested our students should actually apply for work experience telling us why they want to work at our particular business,” said Maretta.
“It’s all part of what is really involved in getting a job.”
During work experience, the students are not paid but some employers provide a bus allowance and meals.
“If students impress during work experience, when they complete their qualification, they may be offered a job.”
Tui’s Hut can comfortably cater for 50 and will offer the general public a different special each night as well as a selection of light snacks and beverages.
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