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(Photo: Reach
Consulting) |
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NEW ZEALAND: EasiYo employees complete literacy
and numeracy qualification
Source:
Reach Consulting Press Release
More than 20 staff at yogurt maker EasiYo
factory have graduated from a literacy and
numeracy programme - the first course of its
kind to be offered to staff at the North
Shore-based factory.
The course, provided by training provider,
Skills4Work, was taught to many employees who
have never learnt basic English or numeracy
because they are either immigrants from a
country where English is not their first
language or they simply did not have the
opportunity to learn it at school.
EasiYo chief executive Paul O’Brien, who took
over the reins from the company last year, says
he felt it was imperative staff at EasiYo had
basic competency skill levels in English
literacy and numeracy.
“We quickly identified that many of our staff
needed to learn basic English literacy and now
feel that the course has helped improve
workplace confidence, wellbeing and safety
levels on the factory floor.
“We are delighted with the result as many staff
are now keen to progress to other courses
including OSH, food safety, product quality,
management and competitive manufacturing courses
on offer. This is an outstanding result for us
and our staff.”
The Workplace Literacy programme, provided by
local company Skills4Work, includes core
functions including speaking, reading,
listening, writing and numeracy in English.
Skills4Work Literacy and Numeracy programme
manager Desirée Gelbart says addressing
workplace literacy helps businesses develop a
more competent workforce, improve productivity
and give a competitive edge over companies
operating in a similar environment.
Gelbart says our experience shows that:
“Workplaces who take part in literacy and
numeracy programmes can expect improved staff
retention, improved attendance rates and higher
standards of customer service,” she says. “It
also helps equip staff to participate fully in
workplace communication and cope with rapidly
changing workplace demands.”
EasiYo employee Sione Tavake Leaaepei, aged 34,
came to New Zealand from Tonga in 2003 and says
while he learnt a little bit of English he
missed out on a lot of reading and writing
education. “Most of us on the course learnt a
lot from the reading and writing part of the
course, and we had a really good teacher so we
really enjoyed it.”
Sesilia Fisilau, aged 23 who has always lived in
Auckland says a lot of what she learnt in the
health and safety part of the course was
applicable to her everyday life. “The tutor was
awesome and she helped us a lot because we have
a lot of staff who don’t understand English but
she taught us slowly which was great.”
Staff have been offered the opportunity to
progress their workplace education through
further funding with Competenz (ITO), who
arranged for the workplace literacy course to be
included in the EasiYo education pathway
curriculum.
As a result EasiYo expects many staff to take
the opportunity to progress to further food and
related products processing and first line
management courses in 2011.
Photo Caption: (L-R) Sesilia Fisalau,
EasiYo CEO Paul O'Brien and Sione Tavake
Leaaepei at the graduation ceremony.
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(Photo:
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme) |
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SAMOA: World Wetlands Day 2011 celebration in
Samoa
Source:
Secretariat
of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press
Release
More than 100 people turned up at the To’oa
Salamasina Hall at Sogi, Samoa, to celebrate the
World Wetlands Day.
The World Wetlands Day, which is celebrated on
February 2 every year, marks the anniversary of
the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of
International Importance (Ramsar Convention) in
the small town of Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.
Government agencies, non-government
organizations and community groups have
celebrated World Wetlands Day since 1997 by
undertaking actions to raise public awareness of
wetland values and benefits and to promote the
conservation and wise/sustainable use of
wetlands.
The theme for the occasion in Samoa was “Forests
for Water and Wetlands.” Celebrations began at
the To’oa Salamasina Hall with an official
opening ceremony, presentations by officers from
the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional
Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Ministry
of Natural Resources & Environment (MNRE) and
viewing of displays prepared by SPREP and the
MNRE. A field trip followed to the village of
Saoluafata, almost an hour’s drive along the
north coast road from Apia.
Honourable Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, Minister of
Natural Resources and Environment, officially
opened the World Wetlands Day 2011 and touched
on the importance of this year’s theme to all
Samoans.
He also officially launched the UN International
Year of Forests for Samoa.
Vainuupo Jungblut, SPREP’s Ramsar Officer for
Oceania gave a presentation on the Overview of
the Wetlands and the Ramsar Convention.
Mr Jungblut defined the term wetlands and gave
some examples of wetland types found in Samoa
and across the region and the threats to
wetlands in our region. He also touched on
previous years’ celebrations of world wetlands
day with examples from a couple of Pacific
Island countries.
Other presenters on the day included Mr Moafanua
Tolusina Pouli, Principal Forestry Research and
Development Officer of the MNRE who gave a
presentation on the status of wetlands in Samoa
and Mr Lesaisaea Niualuga Evaimalo, Principal
Terrestrial Conservation Officer of the MNRE who
presented on the impacts and benefits of
mangrove areas in Samoa.
The field trip saw enthusiastic tree planters
brave the unpredictable rain to plant suitable
tree species along the marshy coastal wetlands
of Saoluafata village. More than a hundred trees
were planted on that day.
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(Photo:
Dave Swift / The Mosman Daily) |
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AUSTRALIA:
Merit award for fitness teacher
Source:
The Mosman Daily
A North Sydney resident received the Australia
Day Merit Award for her service to the personal
training industry and support of disadvantaged
schools in Vanuatu.
Heidi Dening, who started Jump Start Outdoor
Training in Cammeray in 1997, thought she was
only at the awards ceremony at Pennant Hills
Golf Club to make a speech about her work in
Vanuatu when she received the award.
“I was completely shocked,” she said. “I feel so
honoured and special.”
Mrs Dening (pictured) lived in Port Vila in the
‘90s and worked as a secondary school teacher.
After starting her fitness business she used her
contacts to raise money and educational material
such as books and stationary to take back to
Vanuatu.
She is currently planning another trip in the
next two months.
The community-based 2011 Australia Day Merit
Award is given to one person each year, with
previous recipients including the founder of
Clean Up Australia Ian Kiernan and founder of
Camp Quality Vera Entwistle.
Photo Caption: Heidi Dening received the
Australia Day Merit Award for her service to the
personal training industry and support of
disadvantaged schools in Vanuatu.
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(Photo: Guam
Visitors Bureau) |
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USA: Joann Camacho begins as GVB Deputy General
Manager
Source:
Guam
Visitors Bureau Press
Release
The incoming Guam Visitors Bureau Board of
Directors approved the hiring of Joann G.
Camacho, former first lady of Guam, as deputy
general manager of Guam Visitors Bureau at its
first meeting in January.
Camacho, who focused on promoting literacy and
education, youth development, and health care
needs during her time as first lady, has served
as a board member for many public-sector
organizations including the Guam Civil Service
Commission, Alcohol Beverage Control Board, and
Power Authority.
She graduated from the University of San
Francisco in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in
finance management. Shortly thereafter, she
began a 23-year career with Duty Free Shoppers,
where she served as a divisional merchandise
manager.
Camacho replaces Ernie A. Galito, who played an
integral part in the Guam branding initiative
and village outreach programs.
Photo Caption: Newly appointed Deputy
General Manager of Guam Visitors Bureau, Joann
G. Camacho.
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(Photo:
Vanuatu Daily Post) |
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VANUATU: New fire trucks for Port Vila and
Luganville
Source:
Vanuatu Daily Post
After years without a reliable fire truck and a
whole year without one, Luganville will now have
its own brand new vehicle to combat the dangers
of fire.
Thanks to the Australian Government the fire
truck and one fire rescue truck for Port Vila
were officially handed over to the Vanuatu
Police Commissioner, Joshua Bong, yesterday at
the Police College.
According to police sources both trucks cost
over Vt20 million. A week prior to the handing
over an experienced Australian fireman was
brought over to train and familiarise the local
firemen with the two trucks.
Since the Vanuatu Fire Service is a section of
the Vanuatu Police Force the keys of the new
trucks were handed over to the head of Police.
“Over 15 years we have been using the same fire
trucks, and they are now old, said Commissioner
Bong.
“With the new trucks the Fire Service’s job will
be easier and efficient,” he added.
Commissioner Joshua then appealed to the firemen
to handle the new trucks and equipments with
care and professionalism.
He thanked the Australian Government’s
representative for funding the fire truck and
the good working relationship that both
countries have enjoyed over the years.
Meanwhile Officer in charge of the Luganville
Fire Station, Micheal Emile has welcomed the
fire truck which is soon to be send to
Luganville.
“Luganville has been without a fire truck after
I grounded the only one we had since it was no
longer of any use,” said Emile.
“The truck was way beyond its worthiness so we
have been depending on the Airport fire truck
which is not that reliable for general fire
situations since they are meant to be at the
airport whenever an aircraft lands or takes off.
“Last year I had no choice but to ground the
only fire truck for the sake of our firemen.”
Emile said according to international rule fire
engines can only last for up to 10 years if they
are properly maintained and serviced.
“But with the new fire truck lives and
properties can now be saved again,” he add.
The fire trucks are part of the assistance the
Vanuatu Police has been receiving from the
Australian Government.
Photo Caption: VMF firemen and Australian
High Commissioner pose with the two new fire
trucks.
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WORLDWIDE: Tongan Minister 'Akolo new Pacific
ACP Lead Spokesperson
Source:
Pacific
Islands Forum Secretariat Press
Release
Tonga’s Minister for Labour, Commerce and
Industries, Honourable Lisiate 'Aloveita 'Akolo
is Lead Spokesperson for Pacific ACP States’
negotiations with the European Union (EU) on a
comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
(EPA).
Minister ‘Akolo was welcomed into his new
position by Pacific ACP Ministers at the
conclusion of their meeting held last week in
Apia, Samoa.
The Pacific ACP Lead Spokesperson plays a key
role in communicating the region’s interests to
the EU on EPA negotiations and reporting back to
PACP Ministers accordingly.
“I wish to extend sincere congratulations to
Minister ‘Akolo for being elected into this
important position,” said the Secretary General
of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat,
Tuiloma Neroni Slade.
“The path ahead will be trying, and we, at the
Secretariat, pledge our full commitment and best
endeavours to support the Pacific ACP Lead
Spokesperson to advance the region’s critical
negotiations with the European Union.”
Minister ‘Akolo replaces Samoa’s Associate
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour,
Honourable Hans Joachim Keil, as Pacific ACP
Lead Spokesperson.
Minister Keil took the opportunity to announce
to Pacific ACP Ministers his retirement from
politics, and consequent relinquishment of his
position as Pacific ACP Lead Spokesperson.
“I extend to Minister Keil much admiration and
appreciation for providing strong and singular
leadership during his time as Lead Spokesperson,
and allowing the Secretariat to stand by his
side,” said Mr Slade. “He goes with our best
wishes.”
Alternate Spokespersons elected were Nauru’s
Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Honourable
Dr Kieren Keke, and Vanuatu’s Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister for Trade, Commerce &
Tourism, Honourable Ham Lini.
The Pacific ACP Ministers Meeting concluded last
Friday following deliberations in key regional
trade activities, including advancing the
region’s negotiations with the EU on a
comprehensive EPA.
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