Port Moresby 28th January 2026 – The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry (POMCCI) with its members convened today, for a Business Breakfast presentation on Higher Education and TVET reform, aimed to discuss how stronger collaboration can align skills training with workforce demand.

The presentation centered on a shared challenge facing employers across all sectors: the growing gap between training outcomes and job-ready skills. Speakers emphasized that addressing this challenge is not solely a government responsibility, but one that requires active and sustained engagement from industry.

Why TVET Reform Matters to Business

Presentations highlighted key structural challenges within the TVET sector, including fragmented coordination, outdated curricula, and limited alignment with real-world industry needs. These challenges have contributed to skills shortages, reliance on imported labour, and higher costs for employers.

Reform efforts currently underway aim to reposition technical and vocational education as a demand-driven system, where training programs are designed around the practical needs of employers and priority growth sectors such as construction, agriculture, hospitality and services.

For the private sector, the message was clear: stronger industry involvement leads to better-skilled graduates, improved productivity, and reduced recruitment and training costs.

A More Coordinated and Industry-Led Approach

Speakers outlined how recent reforms are strengthening national oversight, improving training quality, and creating clearer pathways from training to employment. Central to this approach is the role of industry in shaping skills priorities, contributing to curriculum development, and supporting workplace-based learning opportunities.

Private sector engagement was highlighted as critical in:

• Identifying current and future skills needs
• Supporting work placements and apprenticeships
• Providing feedback on training relevance and graduate readiness
• Partnering with institutions to strengthen training quality and outcomes

This approach aims to ensure graduates enter the workforce with practical, consistent and job-ready skills, rather than qualifications alone.

Opportunities for Business Collaboration

The session also outlined practical ways businesses can engage with the TVET system, including participation in industry skills groups, partnerships with training institutions, and supporting structured pathways into employment for young people.

By working more closely with training providers and policy agencies, employers can play a direct role in shaping a workforce that meets operational needs while contributing to broader national development goals.

Acknowledging Our Speakers

POMCCI extends its sincere appreciation to the speakers:

• Mr Lonnie Baki, Acting Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), for outlining the national reform agenda and the importance of aligning education systems with workforce demand.
• Dr George Bopi-Kerepa, Project Manager for the Improved TVET for Employment (iTVET4E) Project, for highlighting how industry partnerships can strengthen training relevance, access and employment outcomes.
• Jonathan Glenn, Inception Team Leader for the PNG–Australia Strongim Wok Long TVET (SWLT) Program, his closing remarks.

Through forums such as Business Breakfasts, POMCCI continues to provide a platform where the private sector can engage meaningfully with policymakers and development partners on issues that directly affect business performance and economic growth.

POMCCI remains committed to fostering a vibrant, competitive and skills-ready business environment that supports sustainable growth for Papua New Guinea.