“ACCESS to Training Alone Is Not Enough”
First Secretary of the Australian High Commission to Samoa emphasised that learning centres and workplaces must be safe, respectful, and inclusive so that every individual, including persons with disabilities, can participate with dignity and without fear of harm or exploitation.
Collaborating with the Government of Samoa, the Government of Australia, through the Pacific Australia Skills regional programme, conducted a two-day workshop to help Samoan institutions and organisations build trusted reporting mechanisms, improve organisational policies, and support locally led workforce development.
Participants from government ministries, training institutions, industry, non-government organisations, and community groups boosted their understanding and practical application of inclusion, safeguarding, child protection, reporting responsibilities, and preventing workplace abuse and discrimination during the workshop.
Board Member of the Samoa Deaf Association and Samoa Association of Sign Language Interpreters, Mathew Pitovao, highlighted that the knowledge gained from the workshop will help them identify ways to strengthen their policies and practices.
“This was my first introduction to safeguarding as a deaf person representing the disability community. This workshop helped me better understand safeguarding risks, the importance of creating safe and inclusive workplaces, and how organisations can protect the wellbeing of their people… to ensure persons with disabilities and others can participate safely, confidently, and with dignity,” he said.
Trainer from the Uesiliana Vocational College in Savai’i, Vaosa Talopau, acknowledged the practical nature of the workshop, saying that it has reinforced the importance of creating enabling learning spaces for learners and trainers and provided practical approaches that can be applied directly in classrooms and training environments.
Perotti reaffirmed that Australia, through Pacific Australia Skills, remains committed to partnering with Samoa to support skills development that is safe, inclusive, and responsive to Samoa’s needs.
As Samoa continues to advance its skills development goals, initiatives such as this workshop help build stronger institutions, promote safer and more inclusive learning and workplace environments, and create greater opportunities for individuals, families, and communities contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
