Calls have been made by a fisheries training centre in Kokopo to support its’ operations.
Woolnough Vocational Training Centre has been running courses on commercial and small fishing operations.
The demand for this training has increased since the beginning of the year but lack of funding and support has been always been the problem.
Woolnough Vocational Training Centre is located at Raluana in Kokopo District. It provides a certificate one for its’ Training in Commercial Fishing Operations course.
However, due to high demand, an additional course on small fishing operations was introduced as a pre-requisite to Commercial Fishing Operations.
The trainees learn how to tie different knots, or ropes, for boats or ships, and learn general outboard motor training, along with tips on how to do business in the fisheries industry.
This training is an initiative of the National Fisheries College with support from the National Fisheries Authority. Head trainer at Woolnough Vocational Training Centre, Tasman Dau, said the first batch consisted of 21 trainees.
From this number, 16 passed out to the National Fisheries College in Kavieng to complete diploma studies. This is the second batch of 20 with a keener interest to attend but there is limited space.
Mr Dau said the only support they get is from the National Fisheries College through the National Fisheries Authority as it has always been a challenge to get support from provincial and district governments.
He also clarified that the Vocational Training Centre only provides training while the recruitment agent, National Coastal Shipping, is responsible for employment.
As the program targets ordinary fishermen, the vocational centre has urged support from the district and provincial governments – not only East New Britain but other Maritime provinces as well – to support its’ operations.
previous post