More than 120 Samoan workers preparing to take part in Australia’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme have been among the first to trial a new online learning platform designed to help workers prepare for their time in Australia.
The Australian High Commission in Samoa said the PALM Worker Learning Platform provides self-paced courses that workers can access online, covering financial and digital literacy, personal safety, health and industry-specific information.
Representatives from the Samoan and Australian governments attended the learning sessions in Apia, including Samoa’s Labour and Employment Export Programme Assistant Chief Executive Officer Alopifo Sheryl Fialuma Siliniu.
“I am incredibly proud of our collaboration on this learning initiative, which is vital for building local capacity across our communities,” Alopifo said.
Workers who trialled the platform said the courses helped them feel better informed, more confident and prepared before travelling to Australia.
Returning PALM scheme worker Faataitai Operone said one of the advantages was being able to access the material directly from a mobile phone and return to it when needed.
“It’s really easy to use because everything is on your phone. You can go back and read it again and again whenever you need it, which makes it very helpful for workers,” she said.
The learning platform has been introduced alongside the PALM Worker Portal in Samoa and several other Pacific countries, including Fiji, Tuvalu, Nauru, Solomon Islands and Tonga, as well as Timor-Leste.
The Australian High Commission said more countries are expected to gain access in the coming months.
The PALM scheme allows eligible Australian businesses to recruit workers from participating Pacific countries and Timor-Leste when there are not enough local workers available.
Samoans interested in accessing the learning platform or finding out more about the PALM scheme can contact the Samoa Labour and Employment Export Programme office or follow Samoa LEEP through its Facebook page.
