Two local teachers for A.P.T.C.

The Australian Pacific Technical College (A.P.T.C.) welcomed two new additions to its teaching staff yesterday, trainers Daniella Ah Leong Leota and Tuasivi Kaleopa.

Following three and a half years of training, the two former studetns of the college became the first local trainers to work for A.P.T.C.

A.P.T.C. Country Manager Francis Howes said the new trainers are a part of A.P.T.C.’s strategy for the nationalisation of the college.

She said Yesterday’s celebration is “a milestone and a very important step in that process.”

The nationalisation of the training within the college aims to have Pacific Islanders training and delivering international qualifications throughout the Pacific.

There are other local trainers already in other A.P.T.C. branches in other Pacific islands she said.

Mrs. Leota is also the first female from the Pacific to qualify as trainer said Ms Howes.

She said the new trainers “have met the requirements that an international Australian trainer is required to meet to teach these qualifications.”

These requirements include their industry experience and training qualifications.

Mr. Kaleopa and Mrs. Ah Leong Leota have both been mentored and coached since they begun with A.P.T.C. Ms. Howes said acknoweldgement should go to Steve Johnson the trainer in commercial cookery here in Samoa and Dave Holack, the trainer for welding and fabrication.

She said both men have been directly responsible for the training of the pair.

Following their promotion Mrs. Ah Leong Leota will be teaching Certificate 3 of the Hospitality and Commercial Cooking while Mr. Kaleopa teaching Certificate 3 of Engineering, Fabrication and Welding.

Mr. Kaleopa was overwhelmed by his achievement.

He was in tears as he told the people gathered at the celebration that the past three years to become a tranier with A.T.P.C. was “hard work”.

“I walked into A.P.T.C. with nothing, but today it’s a happy day of my life to become a recognised trainer here in Samoa and Australia.”

He gave thanks to God for his support and acknowledged the Australian and Samoan governments for their partnership that has allowed him to study at A.P.T.C. as well as being promoted to trainer.

“A.P.T.C. has up skilled and upgraded our knowledge that will stay with us throughout our lives,” he said.

He also paid a special thank you to Ms Howes, the A.P.T.C. staff, tutors, the administration staff, trainers and his family. Mr. Kaleopa said it was their love and support that has allowed him to come this far in his career.

When asked how he will assist students of his own, he said that A.P.T.C. provided him and Mrs. Ah Leong Leota with the tools during their coaching to address the different issues that could arise with having students from different countries in their classes.

Mrs. Ah Leong Leota thanked the Australian government for the opportunity.

“Before we were here we didn’t expect this to be a big picture but now A.P.T.C. has flourished...we have benefitted and especially our families,” she said.

She thanked her family and her mentor Steven Johnson for the support.

“Come and join A.P.T.C. because it is blossoming and helping our industry build up its economy,” she said.

A.P.T.C. is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The aim is to build capacity by up skilling and upgrading those that attend the college.