Australia Builds Local Skills Alongside New Malu’u Market Infrastructure
Media release
Australia is providing on-the-job training to local contractors delivering Australian- supported infrastructure, including the new Malu’u Market redevelopment in North Malaita.
Thirteen team leaders with Exodus Trade and Development have strengthened their project planning and construction management skills through a series of practical onsite workshops combining classroom learning with hands-on activities - allowing participants to apply new techniques directly to their daily work.
Australian High Commissioner, Jeff Roach, said investing in workforce development at the same time as delivering much needed infrastructure is important for leaving a legacy of long-lasting workforce development that would continue to benefit Solomon Islands well into the future. “By investing in practical skills like planning, scheduling and quality management, we're helping Solomon Islanders take the lead in delivering infrastructure projects on time, on budget and to a high standard.”
“Great infrastructure is built by local people with the right skills,” High Commissioner Roach said.
The training sessions focused on improving how work is organised, communicated and delivered on site, including project planning, daily scheduling, toolbox meetings, quality management, and procurement planning.
The new skills will help the team plan better, work together more effectively and avoid costly mistakes.
Linken Filiteku of Exodus said the training provided practical tools that could be applied immediately.
“This training has helped us plan our work better, work better as a team and deal with problems early. What we’ve learned will help us do better work and keep the project moving,” said Mr Filiteku.
The Malu’u Market is designed to boost economic activity in North Malaita, with space for up to 140 vendors, and toilets and shower facilities for men, women and people with disabilities.
The project is currently 20 percent complete, with the seawall and concrete pillars in place, and foundations proceeding on the amenities building. The new market will also include 43,000 litres of rainwater storage, solar lighting, and improved waste management and sanitation.
The project has employed 44 workers to date, including 32 from the local community, and supported a number of community initiatives around Malu’u.
