THE Secretary for the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST), Mr Lonnie Baki, has called for stronger collaboration between education providers and industry to equip Papua New Guinea’s future workforce with the skills needed for national development.
Speaking during the Aligning Education Development with Future Workforce and Industry Needs session at PNG Resources Week 2026, held alongside World Youth Skills Day in Port Moresby, Mr Baki said industry must play a central role in shaping education and training programmes.
“Industry must continue to play a central role in shaping training programmes so that graduates possess the skills employers actually require. By maintaining this partnership, we can bridge the gap between education and employment while advancing national development,” he said.
Mr Baki said Papua New Guinea’s future workforce depends on an education system that is accessible, high quality and aligned with industry needs.
He noted that an average of 28,600 students complete secondary education each year and highlighted government initiatives aimed at expanding access to higher and technical education. These include the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP), the Tertiary Education Student
Assistance Scheme (TESAS), the Higher Education Capital Investment Programme and digital systems designed to improve student access and institutional services.
The DHERST Secretary also outlined reforms to strengthen governance and quality assurance across the higher education sector. Five TVET National Training Packages have recently been approved, while another five are under development. Together, they are expected to deliver about 75 nationally recognised qualifications that meet industry workforce requirements.
“Our universities and our TVET institutions are complementary pillars of our higher education system. TVET should be recognised as a pathway to meaningful employment and lifelong learning,” Mr Baki said.
The session also featured Papua New Guinea University of Technology Vice-Chancellor Professor Ora Renagi and University of Papua New Guinea Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Findlay, highlighting the shared responsibility of government, education institutions and industry in developing a skilled workforce for the country’s future.
Mr Baki also acknowledged the Australian Government’s ongoing support for TVET reform in Papua New Guinea through the Strongim Wok Long TVET (SWLT) programme, Pacific Australia Skills (PAS) and the Improved TVET for Employment Project (iTVET4E).