The Australia Pacific Training Coalition (A.P.T.C.) has formerly announced the appointment of Cheri Robinson Moors as the Country Director for Samoa and Tonga. 

Ms. Moors, who is A.P.T.C’s first Samoan Country Director, took up her new role last month. 

She joins A.P.T.C. from the National University of Samoa where she served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

“I am excited about my new role and the possibilities it offers from a professional development perspective but also in terms of supporting and effecting change for the better. I am looking forward to helping foster partnerships and connecting people in a way that achieves the objectives set out for A.P.T.C,” she said.

As a highly talented development professional with significant leadership and management experience working across the Pacific region, Ms. Moors will be working towards strengthening A.P.T.C’s engagement with stakeholders in Samoa and Tonga.

Ms. Moors said the new approach of A.P.T.C’s Phase 3 would help facilitate opportunities, enable locally-led and context-appropriate initiatives that bridge skills gaps, and contribute to workforce development within Samoa and Tonga.  

“I am confident that there are many individuals, champions and organisations that share in APTC’s vision, and together we can realise the benefits a strong coalition can effect,” she added. 

Ms. Moors is joined by Andrew Colquhoun, who is the new Vocational Training Manager in Samoa. Mr. Colquhoun brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in T.V.E.T. and compliance, particularly within the hospitality industry. 

He has held key positions in education management support, including Acting Head of Department of Management and Business, Program Services Teaching and Management and Business at the Canberra Institute of Technology. 

Mr. Colquhoun is familiar with A.P.T.C., having previously served as a trainer in Samoa. 

The new appointments are part of the new leadership team for A.P.T.C’s phase 3. 

In this phase, A.P.T.C. will continue to deliver high quality, internationally recognised training that ensures graduates have improved employment outcomes but also focus on supporting greater investment in skills training and higher quality T.V.E.T. delivery across the Pacific. 

A.P.T.C. will have a stronger emphasis on strengthening Pacific T.V.E.T. systems by working in ‘coalition’ with governments, T.V.E.T. providers, private sector, development partners and civil society. These efforts, at national and regional levels, will assist to meet current and future labour market demands and support reforms that enable Pacific people to access quality training and pathways to meaningful employment.  

A.P.T.C.’s Chief Executive Officer, Soli Middleby, said A.P.T.C. is delighted to welcome Ms. Moors and Mr. Colquhoun, and is confident that they will make a great management team, working in partnership to lead the already cohesive country office in Samoa, as well as to increase engagement in Tonga. 

 “The appointments bring new skills, experience and networks to complement our existing team and ensure that we are well-positioned to take forward the ambitions of APTC in its third stage and contribute even more to Pacific prosperity through partnerships,’ she added. 

Ms. Middleby also acknowledged the efforts of outgoing Samoa Country Manager, Nicki Baird, conveying A.P.T.C’s gratitude for Ms Baird’s leadership of the Samoa campus and her meaningful contribution to skills across the region.  

A.P.T.C. is Australia’s flagship programme for training excellence, helping Pacific Island citizens gain Australian skills and qualifications for a wide range of vocational careers. Around 13,000 graduates have graduated from A.P.T.C. since it began operation in 2007.