Samoa’s hotel workers are being invited to upgrade their skills in leadership, management of food and beverage, bar servicing and housekeeping in three new courses from the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (A.P.T.C.).

The Country Director for the A.P.T.C. in Samoa and Tonga, Cheri Robinson Moors, made the announcement this week during a Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A.) press conference.

“There are two main short courses...they are the Food and Beverage and Bar Services Skills,” said Ms. Robinson Moors. 

“They are competency skills that are drawn out of our Certificate III Hospitality Programme, Food and Beverage and they are drawn out specifically to align with what’s in the Workforce Development Plan for the Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A.) but also in recognition of those who are seeking these training opportunities.”

 “So they are short courses. There is also a full certificate, Certificate IV for Leadership and Management, recognising that there are leaders who could [learn new skills] during this time, so I guess when we have our new normal they can put those skills to work in our industry. 

“They’re all Australian qualifications. They are drawn [from] Australian qualifications so they are internationally recognised.”

The housekeeping course is “a special project,” in which the A.P.T.C. seeks to work collaboratively with the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.), she said:

“With the A.P.T.C.’s program, a lot of our focus is on development, supporting locally led champions and supporting our local [Technical and Vocational Education and Training] providers. 

“So we are looking at that opportunity to demonstrate that through the delivery of the housekeeping. The details will come at a later date earlier next year...we’re still sort of coordinating and refining the details.”

The A.P.T.C. is a development programme funded by the Australian Government. 

The coalition has partnered with the Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A.) to offer the three courses for the hotel, tourism and hospitality sector while the country is on lockdown.

Mrs. Robinson Moors said the A.P.T.C. is pleased to be working in conjunction with the S.T.A. and its partner institutions under the Government's $1 million stimulus package for tourism.

“The A.P.T.C. training provided under the stimulus package will allow for more individuals in the sector to have access to skills and internationally recognized Australian qualifications in hospitality, customer services, and effective leadership and management,” she said. 

The training will benefit the sector by providing more technical skills required to fulfill the growing demands of the industry.

It will include necessary considerations related to the current global COVID-19 pandemic climate, with health, safety and adaptive capabilities in the training.

All A.P.T.C. programs require industry experience. Courses will begin in November.

Interested applicants can find more information and an application form at www.aptc.edu.au.

Applications are also being accepted by mail or at the A.P.T.C.’s office located on the N.U.S. grounds in Vaivase-tai.

To adhere to state of emergency social distancing requirements, applicants are asked to contact the A.P.T.C. in advance to make an appointment by calling: +685 26844, or +685 26884.