The Samoa Qualifications Authority (S.Q.A.) has launched four new qualifications as well as new national competencies standards in a bid to promote quality workmanship.

The authority's commissioning ceremony was held at the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi (T.A.T.T.E) Convention Center on Wednesday.

Giving the keynote address at the launching ceremony, the Minister of Education Sports and Culture, Seuula Ioane said the event also coincides with the launching of the careers advisory services online portal.

"It is indeed a celebration of achievement of additional milestones by the Samoa Qualifications Authority," Seuula said.

"The current education sector plan vision is 'all people in Samoa are educated and productively engaged'. 

"As mandated by the S.Q.A. Act 2010, the development of national competencies standards and Samoa qualifications is in line with the strategic directions of the S.Q.A. with enhancing relevance and quality [Post-School Education and Training] education system in Samoa as key and what S.Q.A aspires for."

Seuula said that the launch is only the beginning of another process whereby P.S.E.T. providers and industries are required to deliver national competencies standards and Samoa qualifications.

"This is why I’m delighted to see a number of P.S.E.T. providers and employers this morning as key to the implementation of this work," he said.

"I remind our stakeholders of the need to uptake these competencies as they are nationally endorsed. Without these, achieving key indicators in our national and education plans would not be achieved. 

"After all your government is investing heavily on delivering quality and relevant education knowing that it largely contributes to economic and social developments when the learners develop the knowledge, skills and values required and appropriate for them to be productively engaged."

According to the Minister, the launch of the career advisory services online portal is an initiative to showcase relevant information from the P.S.E.T providers to assist learners make choices. 

These are in terms of which providers are currently registered; what accredited programmes they offer; and what requirements they need to comply with in order to be eligible. 

"It provides stress-free access for learners to tap into these information by just pressing the button rather than visiting the providers physically," he said.

"Moreover, information on learning resources and those to assist learners choose and develop careers would also be made available on the online portal. It is about maximising new technology. 

"The C.A.S online portal undoubtedly will increase the economic efficiency of education and training and would provide improved access to new opportunities for lifelong learning as espoused by the UN sustainable development Goal 4."

The Minister also acknowledged the financial support of Australia and New Zealand through the Samoa Government's budget support mechanism.

"I would also like to thank the P.S.E.T. providers and all stakeholders who contributed invaluably to these new developments," he said.

"Your contribution is a mark of ownership of these documents.  Last but not the least, I extend word of thanks to the Board of Directors, Management and staff of S.Q.A for the work produced and achievements launched today. 

"It takes much patience and endurance to complete such an undertaking as we witness today."