THE TONGA YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (TYEE) WORK READINESS: TRAINEES CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION 21 JULY 2017, NUKU’ALOFA

PRESS RELEASE 

TYEE is pleased to announce the completion of its Work Readiness Training Program on Friday, 21st July 2017 at the House of Tonga in Mailetaha, Nuku’alofa. The Work Readiness Program is the first approved and funded Australian Government Tonga Skills Pilot Program activity in Tonga. TYEE marked this special and meaningful occasion with a Presentation of Certificates of Achievement to 17 out of 20 Registered and Approved Trainees who have successfully completed the program. TYEE wishes to congratulate the 17 Trainees for their commitment, hard-work and achievement.
 
TYEE Work Readiness is a two weeks program, a combination of theory and practical activities which commenced on Monday, 10th July 2017 with a total of 20 Youth Trainees including a Youth with a Disability. The program aims to bridge the skills and opportunity gaps, prepare and equip the unemployed youth aged 18 to 29 with the relevant foundational skills and emphasis on one’s attitude to be work-ready. The program includes three core areas:

• Discover: development of their own personal and leadership skills;
• Dream: development of their own career goals and planning skills; and
• Explore: development of their skills for employment and workplace success.

TYEE works with the mission to help reduce the HIGH rate of youth unemployment in Tonga.
 
Last Friday such achievement brings enormous encouragements and empowerment to the work TYEE tries to push through in moving the unemployed youth of Tonga forward.
 
The presentation of the Certificates of Achievements marked with a few key speakers highlighting TYEE various program partnership with key stakeholders. The Trainees Certificates were presented by both DFAT Tonga Skills; Mrs. Tu’ifua Takapautolo and TYEE Board Member; Mrs. Sela Bloomfield. The Welcoming Remark was delivered by TYEE Vice-President; Mr. Kilisimasi Ha’apai. The Keynote Speaker was DFAT Tonga Skills; Mrs. Francis Howes (Skills Supply Support Adviser).  The Employer’s Remark by a Partner Employer of TYEE; House of Tonga Mr. Sione Fonua.  The Parent’s Remark by Mrs. Tiulipe Peleketi of Vaini. The Youth Trainee’s Speaker was Miss. Sisilia None, and the Closing Remark of Gratefulness by Mrs. Lusia Latu-Jones, TYEE President. This special occasion was concluded with a beautiful prayer by one of the Youth Trainees; Miss. Lineni Tavake. 
 
Way Forward
 
TYEE is working to complete the rest of its Work Readiness Program by connecting the 17 successful Trainees to their first real jobs. This part of the Program sits with the TYEE RECRUITMENT Services where they’ve constantly worked with Partner Employers to secure variety of jobs which align with the Trainees career choices. The aim is to connect the work-ready Youth with quality jobs, Employers receive prepared and quality workers, and both parties are supported and backed up by TYEE as an organisation; pre-and post-placements. 
 
TYEE is also working with Tonga Skills to start the process of registering TYEE Training Provider with the Tonga National Qualifications and Accreditation Board (TNQAB), and to accredit its Work Readiness Program thereafter. It is TYEE’s goal to work together with the responsible organisations to complete this process. TYEE aims to reach out to all youth school-leavers including youth with a disability, secondary and tertiary schools in Tongatapu and across to the outer islands.
 
For further clarifications and interview about this press release, kindly contact Lusia Latu-Jones, the President of the TYEE, at mobile 841-1791 or email: lusia.latu@tyeetonga.org
 
Acknowledgement
 
TYEE takes this opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful blessing and generous support from the AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT FUNDED PROGRAM TONGA SKILLS (www.tongaskills.com). Thank you for sponsoring TYEE Work Readiness Program. The support from Tonga Skills has enabled TYEE to better serve our youth with the right platform of opportunity and support.
 
TYEE wishes to acknowledge the support and partnership we have received from various local businesses, organisations and individuals to date.  Without their partnership, support and willingness to provide opportunities for our youth members, we would not have been able to achieve the first part of our Vision – assisting youth to find employment. 
 
TYEE also wishes to thank the Trainees, their parents and families for their support from home and throughout the process of the Program.  Lastly, to House of Tonga (www.houseoftonga.com) for their wonderful hospitality and for hosting TYEE and the Trainees in their conference room for the duration of the Work Readiness Program.
 
For information, please visit: www.tyeetonga.org                                                                            
Official Photographs by Masuridy Production
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