Newsletter April – June

IN THIS ISSUE:

PSET Annual Conference continue Support fund for UVC students FQRS in Savaii Survey for Employers satisfaction launched Update on Registered Providers Vaiola TVET register NUS School of Maritime Quality Audit

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Post School Education and Training (PSET) Annual Conference 2018

The Samoa Qualifications Authority hosted its Post School Education and Training (PSET) Annual Conference at the Taumeasina Island Resort on Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th April 2018. The theme was “Strengthening Partnerships between Post School Education & Training and the Workplace”. The conference was an opportunity to bring together the Post

School Education and Training Providers, employers and all

stakeholders to enhance the relevance and quality of training

and education to meet the needs of the job market.

Employability of PSET graduates was a key focus of the

conference.

Minister of Education Sports and Culture, Honourable Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio in his keynote address said that the national, economic and social development goals cannot be achieved without quality education leading to employment and improved conditions of life. Furthermore it was hoped that the work of SQA in bringing coherence to the post school education and training subsector will also result in greater alignment to and achievement of national development goals.

“Provision of a high quality post school education and

training will lead to getting value for money spent on

education, enhanced and increased opportunities and

pathways for our people, better choices and better options for

quality education and better employment opportunities,

promoting lifelong learning and an enhanced quality of life.”

Honourable Loau pointed out

the outcome of the

conference will inform SQA

of future priorities in its

collaborative work with all

stakeholders towards

achieving quality, relevant

and accessible PSET.

“Strengthening partnerships

between training institutions

and the workplace is the key

to improved opportunities

and a better future for all,”

said the Minister

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“Strengthening Partnerships between Post School Education and

Training and the Workplace” was the theme of the 2018 Post School

Education and Training Annual Conference. As a symbiotic relationship

it would provide mutual benefit for training providers and workplaces.

More than 160 representatives of Formal and Non Formal PSET

Providers, employers, industry, Government Ministries and

Corporations, Professional Associations, Development Partners and the

general community met to discuss how they can work together to address

the challenge of enhancing the employability of PSET graduates.

SQA has a key role in facilitating the Registration, Accreditation and

Auditing of PSET providers and their programmes to ensure Quality,

Relevance and Credibility of Post School Education and Training.

Since 2006, SQA has worked with PSET providers to achieve significant

progress in developing programmes and qualifications to meet the

identified human resource needs in Agriculture, Trades, Tourism and

Hospitality fields.

Currently, PSET students can access 62 qualifications registered on the

Samoa Qualifications Framework. There is now a wide choice of

education and training providers in Samoa. Of those which are registered

and listed with SQA, there are 23 Formal and 31 Non Formal Providers

for PSET students to choose from.

The government has identified the need to align training outcomes with

national human resource development priorities to achieve the current

Strategy for the Development of Samoa (SDS) Key Outcome 7: “All

people in Samoa are educated and productively engaged.”

The 2018 Conference presented an opportunity for all PSET stakeholders

to identify how to strengthen partnerships to achieve the SDS target of

70% of PSET graduates finding employment by 2020.

The 2016 PSET Tracer Study Report confirms 59% of PSET graduates

achieved employment with the majority (88%) finding employment

within 6 months after graduation.

Presentations and discussions at the PSET conference highlighted the

key challenges to be addressed in the next three years.

These include: mismatch of skills and knowledge learned in the

classroom to the workplace needs and employer expectations; bridging

the gaps between learning and working; limited employment

opportunities for PSET graduates in the formal sector; formalising the

informal employment sector; recognition of traditional knowledge and

skills e.g. Samoan house building (fauga fale); maintaining the relevance

of programmes to meet changing technology and labour market needs;

limited access to information about available training and employment

opportunities; and lack of time, resources and commitment by all

stakeholders to work together and improve long term employment

outcomes.

PSET Annual Conference discussion

Honourable Minister Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio

Fu’a Hazelman, China’s Ambassador to Samoa,

Honourable Wang Xuefeng and her Excellency Australia’s

High Commissioner, Sara Moriarty

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Career Advisory team visits Savaii

colleges

SQA under its Funding Mechanism provided assistance through the

PSET Support Fund to Uesiliana Vocational Centre.

The assistance is to support activities towards meeting UVC targeted

achievement of Programme Accreditation and registration of

qualifications on the Samoa Qualifications Framework (SQF).

Furthermore the assistance would support vulnerable students towards

completion and graduation. The PSET Support Fund is funded under the

SQA Education Sector Budget Support 2017/2018. CEO of SQA,

Letuimanu’asina Dr Emma Kruse Vaai travelled to Savaii to visit the

UVC. She reminded the staff and students that under the funding support

agreement their students must graduate in accredited programmes and

secure employment thereafter. She also gave words of encouragement to

the students to study hard so they can graduate and find employment to

help their families.

Funding assistance for Uesiliana Vocational Centre

SQA joins USP

50th Celebration

SQA joined the University of

the South Pacific (USP) 50th

celebration on 15th June by

setting up a booth at the USP

Alafua campus Open Day.

The theme of the Open Day

was “Shaping your Future”

which was part of the week-

long 50th celebration. The

event is a day of fun filled

activities in which USP

stakeholders were given the

opportunity to be creative and

innovative in their displays to

showcase the different services

offered. In addition, it provides

prospective students with the

opportunity to obtain academic

and career advice, as well as a

chance to enjoy the more

informal and entertaining

aspects of the day with a

display of diverse cultural

items from the twelve Pacific

nations that make the USP.

The Careers Advisory Services (CAS) conducted its 6th Annual School Visit to Secondary Schools in Upolu and Savaii from March 7th – May 4th 2018. The purpose of school visits is to provide students with information on PSET study options, scholarships opportunities, and various careers related to secondary school study options, as well as giving them advice on how to ensure correct decision making. The visit continued to Savaii on the 30th of April to the 4th of May covering 11 Colleges. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and Tesese Institute travelled with the team. They presented background information on various jobs related to programmes that are offered within institutions as well as the entry requirements for those programmes. In

addition to that was information on the scholarships that are available to students who wish to continue their studies overseas. As an end result, 96% of the students from Colleges visited have shown serious interest in career planning while 98% wanted the SQA CAS school visits to continue. SQA wishes to acknowledge the continuous support of the Ministry of Education, Sports

and Culture (MESC), Missionary and private schools in allowing the CAS team to

conduct its CAS School Visits every year within schools.

Letuimanu’asina Dr Emma Kruse Vaai at Uesiliana

Vocational Centre

Students from Itu o Tane College with Career Advisory team during the visit in the island of Savaii

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Foreign Qualifications Recognition Service

PSET Providers and stakeholders attended the Foreign

Qualifications Recognition service awareness in Savaii

Vaogagana o Feso’otaiga training A training to broaden the understanding and competencies of SQA staff

in Samoan culture and language was conducted in May 2018.

The Vaogagana o Feso’otaiga training led by Director of Fatuaiupu

Consult, Maulolo Tavita Maulolo was deemed useful for SQA staff

when engaging with Education and Training Providers and consulting

the public.

The two weeks training gave staff the opportunity to understand and

learn how to respond in Samoan in a variety of ways in both formal and

informal situations. Fatuaiupu Consult is a recognised Non Formal

Provider with SQA.

SQA staff also got to learn about Samoan proverbs and where they come

from through traditional methods of hunting birds (seugalupe), building

the Samoan fale and fishing for sharks. This was demonstrated at

Samoan Culture Centre at Falelauniu by two Samoan matai. On the last

day of the training staff hosted a ava ceremony practicing and applying

what they learned throughout the training. Staff were later presented

with certificates with three others receiving special awards for their

effort during the training.

Tofa Loli Tuisavalalo gave a demonstration of how to

prepare ava during ava ceremony

The Member of Parliament for Safata West, Lea’ana Ronnie Posini has acknowledged the work of the Samoa Qualifications

Authority in June’s parliament proceedings during the 2018/2019 budget deliberation.

Lea’ana extended his gratitude to the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio for the work done by SQA

which is under his portfolio.

“SQA is responsible for keeping checks on qualifications to ensure it meets the required standards,” Lea’ana told parliament.

“If it wasn’t for this organisation we would not have identified the poor quality of technical and vocational schools because

of the lack of resources to deliver the teachings for the students and SQA stepped in and did this.

“So I thank the Minister of Education for SQA and its works.”

Lea’ana is a parliamentary committee member for the Education Sector.

MP acknowledges SQA work in parliament

A workshop to raise awareness on the review Foreign

Qualifications Recognition Service (FQRS) review was

conducted in Savaii on Thursday 28th June 2018.

Participants from Post School Education and Training (PSET)

Providers and stakeholders showed great interest in the service

and its usefulness.

The workshop follows a similar awareness held in Upolu in March

2018 where it was brought to the attention of stakeholders the

importance of validating qualifications of people seeking

employment or further studies. Fraudulent qualifications from

diploma mills which is a criminal activity are now very much a

concern.

Some of the recommendations from stakeholders include

suggestions for; SQA to have a register list of fraudulent providers

available for the public to ensure the person providing fraudulent

qualification is charged.

Another suggestion is for employers to have a section in the

application forms to give applicants the option of allowing third

parties to view documents submitted by applicant as part

of screening. Participants acknowledged SQA for the

much needed service to ensure PSET providers and

stakeholders are protected.

Certificate for Vaogagana

o Feso’otaiga

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Martin Hautus Institute of Learning (MHIL) - Samoa was the first PSET Provider to

have been piloted by the National External Moderation (NEM) team in March 2018.

The National External Moderation process conducted was to determine whether or

not MHIL – Samoa is compliant with the National External Moderation requirements

in relation to its internal practices such as assessment management, design review,

delivery, monitoring, marking schedule, assessment materials & decisions,

assessment on learners’ achievement and feedback.

National External Moderation is part of the Quality Assurance process the SQA

undertakes for all registered Providers.

Survey for Employers Satisfaction launched A survey for Employers Satisfaction with 2012 – 2014 graduates from

Formal PSET Providers in Samoa was launched on Friday 29th

June 2018 at the TATTE Convention Center. The survey complements the findings of the PSET Tracer Study of 2012 – 2014 graduates from formal PSET Providers particularly on the graduates identified to be employed. The objectives of the survey were to determine employer levels of satisfaction with the knowledge and understanding, qualities, generic

skills and technical skills of graduates being used in the workplace. Employers’ views on the importance of relevant knowledge and

understanding, the qualities, generic and technical skills generally expected of the graduates were also sought . Lastly, employer input on how to improve formal PSET provider

programs for their graduates to better meet the workplace needs was also obtained. Of the 475 confirmed employers, 95 percent responded to the survey. These included employers from government agencies, private

business, church organisations, regional and international organisations and non-government organisations. A total of 1799 targeted graduates from 16 PSET providers and

graduates of the Apprenticeship Scheme coordinated by the Ministry

of Commerce, Industry and Labour (MCIL) were identified to be

employed. A proportion of 76 percent (1202 graduates) were located

and interviewed in the workplace. About 16 percent of the graduates

were identified as refusal, as employers refused/declined to cooperate

with the study. The report however noted 92 percent of employers were

satisfied with the performance of the graduates. Other graduates were not at the workplace nor known by employers as

identified in the Tracer Study and recorded as unknown. The majority

of the graduates were certificate holders compared to other

qualifications. In terms of gender comparisons a high number of

females held qualifications in Diploma, Bachelors, Post Graduate and

Masters whereas males dominated as Certificate holders. For improvement and better services, it was suggested by the

employers for PSET providers to arrange relevant and sufficient work

experience and practical exercises for students to fully equip them for

employment when they graduate. Other key developments included

employers and providers strengthened and continued collaborations

which paved pathways to internship and work attachment programs for

graduates.

SQA Chairperson Gatoloaifa’ana Tilianamua Afamasaga, US

Embassy Charge d-Affairè Tony Greubel, SQA CEO, Letuimanu’asina

Dr Emma Kruse Vaai and Board Member, Fu’a Hazelman

Kuinimeri Tamati, Orita Pagaialii, Anastasia Magele and

ACC CEO Muliagatele Makerita Matafeo

APTC Country Manager, Nicki Baird with NUS Deputy Vice

Chancellor Cheri Robinson Moors

MHIL piloted for National External Moderation

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Registered Formal PSET Providers 2018

1. Apia Harvest Centre Bible College

2. Australia Pacific Technical College

3. Congregational Christian Church of Samoa School of

Fine Arts and Museum (CCCSSFAM)

4. Congregational Christian Church of Samoa

Vocational School (CCCSVS)

5. Don Bosco College and Vocational Technical Centre

6. Don Bosco Technical Centre

7. Early Childhood Education Teachers Training

Institute

8. Laumua o Punaoa Methodist Creative Tech Centre

9. Malua Bible School

10. Malua Theological College

11. Martin Hautus Institute of Learning - Samoa

12. Moamoa Theological College

13. National University of Samoa

14. Oceania University of Medicine

15. Pesega TVET Institute

16. Piula Theological College

17. Rhema Bible Training Centre South Pacific

18. Samoa Shipping Maritime Academy

19. Small Business Enterprise Centre

20. South Pacific Nazarene Theological College

21. Tesese Institute

22. Uesiliana Vocational Centre

23. University of the South Pacific

24. Vailima Fou Theological College

25. Worldwide Mission Training Centre

26. Youth with a Mission (YWAM)

27. Vaiola Technical and Vocational Education and

Training Institute

Provider Registration guidelines

The Provider Registration process evaluates and confirms that a Post School Education and

Training (PSET) Provider meets and satisfies Quality Standards and criteria.

When a Provider is registered it ensures; it is a legitimate Provider, it has Quality Management

Systems (QMS), it guarantees value for learners money spent on PSET and it is the first step

to Programme Accreditation.

It is mandated under the SQA Act 2010 for all PSET Providers in Samoa to register with the

Samoa Qualifications Authority. Failure to do so is an offence.

There are two types of Registration fees; the Initial Registration Fee (IRF) and the Annual

Registration Renewal Fee (ARRF).

The IRF is for Providers first registration and the ARRF applies to all Providers for renewal

of their registration status.

There are 29 Providers listed and 27 Registered (93%) with SQA. The two other providers listed but not registered are Le

Iunivesite ole Amosȃ o Savavau and AOG Samoa Theological College which had to re-register after its merge. Tuamafa

Theological College and Bradford Institute of Advanced Education Ltd are neither listed nor registered. The SQA Act

2010 requires any education and training provider in Samoa to register with SQA.

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Vaiola TVET Institute register

A proposed model to ensure a beneficial relationship between TVET Providers, industries and employers is sustained and improved was the focus of a meeting in May 2018. The engagement between the parties allowed TVET providers to identify the skills needs of industry and incorporate them into

their training programs. As a result the readiness of graduates

for employment would be improved. The SQA work on providers and industry engagement is also part of the Samoa Professional Standards for TVET Trainers

initiative. Consultations with stakeholders found that there are

gaps between what is delivered by providers and what the skills needs of the industries are. Industries and employers also agreed that graduates lacked soft

skills which are personal attributes that enabled them to interact

effectively and harmoniously with other people. On the other

hand, small providers indicated the lack of commitment from

industry or employers when they tried to connect with them.

The final report of the consultation proposed a model for

strengthening the engagement of providers and industry so they

could help each other instead of working in isolation.

TVET Providers Industry engagement

Some of the TVET Providers at one of FQRS consultation

SQA is working on a strategy to implement the model

with the hope that provision of professional training and

resource support for the TVET providers would to fulfill

the skills needs of industries boosting productivity and

improving economic and social developments.

The SQA Board at its meeting on Thursday 31st May 2018

approved the registration of the Vaiola Technical and Vocational

Education and Training (TVET) Institute in Savaii.

The school has met all criteria for registration as a Post School

Education and Training provider in Samoa.

Vailoa TVET Institute is Latter Day Saint (LDS) Church Institute

established under the auspices of the Pacific Area LDS Church

Schools. The TVET Programme is an existing programme and has

been a branch of the Vaiola High School for many years.

The LDS Pacific Church established TVET with the purpose “to

educate and prepare students academically, vocationally and

spiritually to where possible, gain a recognised industry

certification that meets the challenges and opportunities of the

future with career and post-secondary readiness”.

The TVET Program for Samoa is opening multiple pathways to not

only bridge the gap between high school, higher education and

employment but also breaking down the barriers of students being

lifelong learners that keep them engaged by offering choices.

Vaiola TVET Institute was established in March 2018. The institute

aims to deliver Construction, Horticulture, Hospitality and Cookery

programmes.

The overall goal for institute is “to align with the conception of

deploying a productive successful program with a unified set of

goals and objectives”.

Vaiola TVET Institute is commended for its effort in having in

place a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS) 2017.

SQA staff working together with Vaiola TVET Institute

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Vaiola TVET staff during programme development training

Quality Audit for NUS Maritime The first Quality Audit conducted for Post School Education and Training

in Samoa was for the National University of Samoa School of Maritime

Training programmes. The six programmes audited were: i. National University of Samoa Certificate II in Maritime (Basic Marine

Engineering Safety Rating 2) ii. National University of Samoa Certificate II in Maritime (Basic Nautical

Rating 2) iii. National University of Samoa Certificate III in Maritime (Marine

Engineering Rating 1) iv. National University of Samoa Certificate III in Maritime (Navigational

Watch-Keeping Rating 1) v. National University of Samoa Certificate IV in Maritime (Marine

Engineering Class V) vi. National University of Samoa Certificate IV in Maritime (Master Class

V) At its meeting of 28th June 2018 the Quality Audit Team reports for the programmes were submitted and accepted by the SQA Board. With the Quality Audit reports approved, NUS School of Maritime is now

working on addressing the Corrective Actions and Recommendations.

Addressing of Corrective Actions and Recommendations is included in the

ongoing monitoring process of the SQA.

Programme Accreditation update

Four panels were approved by the Board to conduct programme accreditation in this quarter for the following programmes:

i. Malua Bible School – Certificate IV in Theological Studies ii. Worldwide Mission Trade Centre – Certificate I in Christian Mission

iii. Laumua o Punaoa – Certificate I of Achievement in Cookery iv. Uesiliana Vocational Centre – Certificate II of Achievement in Carpentry and

Joinery The process is conducted by a Panel comprising of appropriate industry, community and/or professional representatives, external education and training representatives and the SQA Quality Assurance (QA) team. The QA team also worked together with the education and training providers to accredit programmes and registration of the associated qualifications on the Samoa Qualifications Framework (SQF) as per Board approval on the 28th June 2018. Approval was given after the requirements of the Programme Accreditation Panel Reports were addressed by Providers. The programmes include the following for the providers as well as one by Don Bosco College Vocational and Technical Centre to deliver the Samoa Qualification.

(i) Samoa Cert I in Trades Foundation Skills by Don Bosco College Vocational and Technical Centre

(ii) Congregational Christian Church of Samoa School of Fine Arts and Museum Certificate III in Fine Arts

(iii) Methodist Technical and Creative Centre Laumua o Punaoa o Punaoa Certificate I in Automotive Engineering

(iv) Methodist Technical and Creative Centre Laumua o Punaoa Certificate I in Electrical Engineering

(v) Uesiliana Vocational College Certificate I in Automotive Engineering

(vi) Uesiliana Vocational College Certificate I in Electrical Engineering (vii) South Pacific Nazarene Theological College Diploma7 V in Theology

CCCS Samoa School of Fine Arts had its

programme accredited

Quality Audit site visit conducted by Quality Assurance

team

NUS School of Maritime

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SQA Block

SQA Vaogagana o Fesootaiga training conducted by Maulolo Tavita

Mothers Day celebration at SQA and farewell for former colleagues

Su’a Aniseko Fruean blood pressure measured by NKF team

Welcome new recruits; Sinei Falefitu, Tuulima Sasita, Jerry Puni and

Melani Aperaamo

Non-government organisation representatives; Alapati Anoia, Leutu

Ieremia and Visesio F

Ropati Tiatia, Lynette Ah Kau – Petelo, ACEO Quality Assurance,

Asiasiau Melesete Lino-Mariner and Loretta Ulugia at the Survey for

Employers launch

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Team work was crucial for SQA in its work during the period of April – June 2018. The staff worked together with

stakeholders in delivering a successful PSET Annual Conference 2018 at Taumeasina Island Resort. The staff also

spared time to attend the Vaogagana o Feso’otaiga training followed by a celebration for SQA mothers. Other

highlighted activities include an induction for replacement staff, the Survey for Employers Satisfaction launch and a

health screening led by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF).

APTC staff in full force at the PSET Annual Conference SQA working together with MCIL stakeholders and PSET Providers

Ropati Tiatia,

Participants from government ministries at the Annual Conference

Intense discussion during the PSET Annual Conference from stakeholders Registration on the first day of the PSET Annual Conference

Methodist Director of Education, Amosa Tapuai, Uesiliana Vocational

Center Principal, Palota Vaili and UVC staff

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LEVEL 2, TATTE Building, Sogi

Telephone: +685 20976

Website: www.sqa.gov.ws

Email: sqa@sqa.gov.ws

P.O.BOX L851, Apia Samoa