Strengthening the Skills Behind Better Infrastructure

Strengthening the Skills Behind Better Infrastructure

Media

Australia is helping to strengthen the skills of local contractors and government officers to support the long-term delivery of quality infrastructure across Solomon Islands.

Project management and construction delivery training has been delivered to 33 contractors and officers from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development as part of Australia's ongoing support to local infrastructure capacity.

The practical workshops focused on managing on-time and on-budget infrastructure delivery, including project planning, daily scheduling, quality management and procurement planning.

Australian High Commissioner Jeff Roach said building government and industry skills is an important part of Australia’s long-term support for better infrastructure in Solomon Islands.

"Good infrastructure needs people who are skilled at reducing costly rework on poorly managed construction projects,” High Commissioner Roach said.

“These workshops are helping contractors and Ministry staff build the skills they need to work together, solve problems early, and use public money cost-effectively."

Participants worked through real project examples to apply new planning and management techniques to common challenges on infrastructure projects.

Ministry of Infrastructure Development Engineer, Mowisha Angiki, said the training provided the tools and awareness to work with local contractors.

"The training gave us simple tools that we can use straight away in our work. It was also good to hear from contractors and share ideas on how we can work better together and keep projects running smoothly," Mr Angiki said.

Australia’s Solomon Islands Infrastructure Program has delivered skills development in Solomon Islands' infrastructure sector to over 500 workers and government officials, leaving a lasting legacy of increased capability to support quality infrastructure development across the country.