AUSTRALIA COMMITTED TO TRAINING SKILLED PACIFIC IS WORKERS:ENVOY.

SUVA, March 2 Asia Pulse - Australia says it is committed to the training of skilled workers in the Pacific.

It has set up the Australia Pacific Technical Colleges (APTC) in three Pacific Island Countries to assist in training Pacific Islanders in targeted sectors hospitality and tourism, health and community services, automotive, construction, electrical and manufacturing.

Australia High Commissioner to Fiji James Batley said despite the political events in Fiji, its citizens continued to benefit from skills training at APTC.

The Australia Pacific Technical College (APTC), now in its second year of operation, is working hard to increase the supply of skilled workers, to improve employment opportunities nationally, regionally and internationally and to increase productivity of individuals in the targeted sectors in the Pacific.

Over 900 students from the Pacific region have enrolled in APTC courses this year, a third of whom are Fiji Islanders.

"I think it's important to underline that our commitment to Fiji's development remains, and it remains substantial. That does not in any way change Australia's position on the events of December 2006, and on Fiji's return to democracy.

"That position is well known and it has not changed. But this ...