DATE: September 23-25, 2025 |
Venue: Lamana Hotel, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea |
Type: In-Country Program |
ORGANIZERS: Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), Philippines and
Department of Education (DOE), Papua New Guinea
|
Background
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is a dynamic and diverse sector, characterized by constant changes. Its development is fundamental to educational reform efforts globally, given its vital role in a country’s economic development. This requires new approaches and strategies in management and clear policies integrating different dimensions of excellence as part of its strategic framework.
In Papua New Guinea (PNG), the TVET system is governed by three main government agencies: the Department of Education (DoE), responsible for Vocational Centres, Technical High Schools, and Technical Secondary Schools; the Department of Higher Education, Science, Research and Technology (DHERST), responsible for post-secondary TVET institutions such as Technical Colleges and Polytechnic Institutes: and the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations (DLIR) through the National Apprentice Trade Testing Board (NATTB), which coordinates apprenticeship, trade testing, and development of national occupational skill standards. The National Training Council (NTC) oversees the private sector TVET institutions.
A significant gap exists due to separate legislation governing these agencies, lacking a harmonized, overarching legislative framework for TVET in PNG. This creates weak linkages and pathways between different training profiles and qualifications, such as the non-recognition of vocational qualifications by universities. Recognition of acquired skills and credit transfer regardless of vocational training form is essential.
To address these challenges, TVET institutions in PNG intend to avail the opportunity to seek accreditation through APACC, a unified accreditation system. This will align programs from general education to higher qualifications while meeting international standards. Continuous quality enhancement is a key objective of the TVET system to meet industry and community expectations. This requires a strong foundation in quality assurance and the establishment of a Quality Management System to uphold TVET excellence
The Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC), under the auspices of CPSC, has recalibrated its institutional accreditation framework through the new APACC Accreditation Manual 2025. This updated framework addresses Industry 4.0 readiness, Venue: Lamana Hotel, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Type: In-Country Program Organizers: Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), Philippines and Department of Education (DOE), Papua New Guinea facilitates transition to Industry 5.0, and promotes inclusivity, sustainability, and green TVET initiatives.
The new APACC Quality Assurance framework incorporates advanced quality benchmarks through seven expanded criteria that integrate governance, learning management, technopreneurship, human resources, budgeting, student well-being, and industry linkages. It introduces Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), encourages adoption of AI, AR/VR, IoT, and Blockchain, and embeds mandatory Business Incubation Centers (BICs), ERP tools, and green skills into institutional systems.
CPSC plays a significant role as a regional center of excellence in promoting quality TVET across the Asia Pacific region. Its expertise and support are critical in driving the harmonization and enhancement of TVET standards through initiatives such as the APACC accreditation system. The collaboration of the Department of Education, Papua New Guinea, is equally important in this initiative, as it ensures local ownership, alignment with national policies, and effective implementation of quality assurance frameworks. Together, CPSC and the DoE form a vital partnership to build the capacity of Papua New Guinea’s TVET institutions, fostering sustainable development, workforce competitiveness, and responsiveness to both current and future industry needs. This collaboration underpins the successful accreditation and continuous quality enhancement of TVET institutions in the country.
This In-Country Training Program aims to prepare Papua New Guinea’s TVET institutions for APACC accreditation by building their capacity to integrate these standards and technologies. Through Theme papers, Workshops, and Interactive Discussions, participants will gain the knowledge and tools needed for institutional transformation, innovation, and quality assurance.
Objectives
The objectives to be achieved through significant features of this program, being organized by Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), Manila in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) include:
- Provide insights into international accreditation and certification services towards the Quality Management System (QMS) of TVET institutions.
- Aligning TVET institutions in Papua New Guinea with the APACC 2025 Accreditation Manual
- Emphasizes IR 4.0 and IR 5.0 technologies integration, emerging technologies in TVET, Technopreneurship and industrial liaison, Greening TVET, Sustainability practices, and digitization
- Focuses on institutional transformation through technopreneurship, green skills, and sustainability
- Encourages data-driven decision-making through ERP and KPI-based evaluation
- Strengthens linkages with industry and promotes industry-led co-assessment
- Supports global benchmarking and recognition of TVET graduates
Expected Output
Expected outputs to be achieved through tangible deliverables or activities to be completed during the program are:
- Participants are equipped with knowledge of Quality Assurance in TVET through APACC-2025 accreditation requirements.
- Draft institutional self-assessment plans.
- Strategies for integrating IR 4.0/5.0 technologies, emerging technologies, green- skills, sustainability, and TVET digitization practices into TVET through curriculum, institutional frameworks, policies, programs, etc.
- Actionable plans for establishing BICs, green skills programs, and ERP systems.
Expected Outcomes
The broader, longer-term results or impacts that the program intends to achieve are:
- APACC certification of majority PNG TVET institutions.
- Enhanced adoption of emerging technologies and green practices.
- Strengthened industry partnerships and the employability of graduates.
- Increased alignment with national TVET quality assurance frameworks and SDGs.
Program Contents
Presentations/Theme papers on the following:
- Special Lecture: Quality Assurance in TVET through Industrial Collaboration and Technopreneurship
- Theme Paper 1: Introduction, Benefits and Seven Criteria of APACC Accreditation
- Theme Paper 2: Embedding IR 4.0 and IR 5.0 Technologies in TVET Curriculum
- Theme Paper 3: Business Incubation for Entrepreneurial Push in TVET
- Theme Paper 4: Green Skills, SDGs, and Greening TVET
- Theme Paper 5: APACC Accreditation Procedures
Workshops/Activities
- Workshop 1: APACC Self-Assessment Using Digital Tools and KPI-Based Evaluation
- Workshop 2: Simulation for TVET Curriculum Revision
- Workshop 3: Cross-Cutting Lessons from APACC Criteria for PNG’s TVET Sector
Approach and Methodology
Instructional Strategies
The program involves different learning methods such as:
- Theme paper presentations
- Group Work Activities
- Group Presentations
- Web-Based Teaching and Learning System through OnCOURSE
- Action Planning
Participants' Profile
The participants are expected to be composed of 23 participants comprising heads of Institutions and TVET senior officers under the Department of Education (DOE), Papua New Guinea.
Date and Venue
The program will run from September 23 to 25, 2025, at the Lamana Hotel, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Facilities Requirements
To conduct the program smoothly, the following facilities are required:
- Laptop computers (preferably participants to bring their own laptop)
- Internet Connection (LAN/WAN)
- Audio and Video Equipment
- Multimedia Projector and Projection Screen
Program Management and Resource Persons
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Program Schedule
