By Ms. Arlene Abital

Port Moresby, PNG - Don Bosco Technological Institute, East Boroko held a Trade Skills Competition on the 8th of October, 2015 to showcase the talent, knowledge and skills of the students. Selected second year students battled it out at the competition for various tasks according to their technologies. The judges were representatives from the industry and instructors at various technical institutions.

Its theme was “Empowering the Youth through Technical Education”. The presence of Mr. Johnny Lo Yep, Program Manager of TVET congratulated the institute for organizing the event on a very fitting theme. He said, “I am delighted to grace this occasion and witness the exciting demonstration of technical skills acquired through training. Papua New Guinea is counting on you, to use your technical skills and knowledge to help drive the nation’s economic development. Technical qualifications, like yours, are essential for the growing economy of PNG and are in demand by the private sector. It is people with skills like you who will drive innovation, entrepreneurship and dynamism in PNG.”

The institution’s motto, “Competence and Character”, was re-emphasized by DBTI Rector, Fr. Louie Castaneda, SDB in his speech. He said, “Show your skills in your different technology”. These became evident as Computer Technology students demonstrated their website designs with Mr. Billy Somers-National Statistics Office and Mr. Kennedy Tekepa-PNG Fire Service as judges. The Electrical Technology students were given the opportunity to install Industrial Motor Control and Protection systems, do Programmable Relay-Siemen’s Logo and install Automated Building Wiring with Mr. Maxwell Kombia-PNG Power Ltd., Mr. Stewart Jamieson-Holiday Inn and Mr. Jason Navarro-Power Tech Ltd. as judges.

The Electronics Technology students soldered LED lights and were judged by Ms. Tracey Mandawali-Biomedical Engineering Unit, Port Moresby General Hospital, Ms. Shanelle Dawana-National Airservices PNG and Mr. Tira Isei-Blackswan Ltd. The Maintenance Fitting and Machining students did Benchwork competition with Mr. Martin Dai-Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu, Mr. Hernando Edradan-KKKingston and Mr. Ramell Gonzales-Port Moresby Technical College as judges. The Motor Vehicle students did Starter Motor assembly, testing and circuit installation with Mr. Francis Fajardo-SPECTRA Industrial and Mr. Emman Matthew Teodoro-Concept One Auto Repair Shop as judges. The Drafting Technology students did the Orthographic drawing and detailing with Mr. Noel Guillermo-DBTI Boroko as the judge.

Fr. Ariel Macatangay, SDB-Principal opened the competition with the following message to the participants and the audience. He said, “It is our dream at Don Bosco to develop the skills of the young following the PNG National Qualification Framework”. He further said that before the end of 2015 MFM instructors from any Don Bosco schools will be sent for a two-month training to India with the support of PNG/SI Delegation and that in December invited people will come over to DBTI to design standardized instructional materials in Electrical and Motor Vehicle Technologies across the other technical training providers.

Gratitude and thanks to Mr. Fredrick Onaput, Technology Head for the organization of the competition. He was ably assisted by Mr. Ernesto Raymundo (Computer Technology), Mr. Gabriel Gomana (Electrical Technology), Mr. James Lelesi (Electronics Technology), Br. Reto Wanner, SDB (Maintenance Fitting and Machining Technology), Mr. Wilmer Dumaya (Motor Vehicle Technology), Mr. Raymond Lising (Drafting Technology) and the entire staff for making the Trade skills Competition 2015 a grand success!