Solomon Airlines supports free digital skills training for Solomon Islanders

• Spaces still available for free workshops, training, mentoring and meet-ups

Solomon Islanders interested in improving their digital technology skills or working in the Information Technology sector can apply for free digital skills training being offered by the International Centre for Democratic Partnerships’ (ICDP) Pacific Connect programme and internet training company Common Code.

The series of free workshops will be held in Solomon Airlines head office boardroom in Honiara, to commence on 6 November with sessions over the next two months, and again in March next year.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn modern software development languages and approaches such as Python and Javascript and to gain skills in e-commerce.  Meetups and mentoring opportunities will also be available and details provided to those interested.

The workshops are currently scheduled as follows:

• Friday 6th November 2020     Learning to Code Python and Django Workshop (full)
• Friday 20th November 2020   Meetup and Mentoring Sessions
• Friday 4th December 2020     Introduction to E-commerce Workshop
• Friday 11th December 2020   Meetup and Mentoring Sessions

Simone Pensko Chief Executive of Pacific Connect said the workshops will offer practical skills, encouragement and the opportunity to build connections with others in the ICT industry within the Pacific region.

“We are aiming to help individuals facilitate the exchange of ideas and expertise, as part of a longer-term strategic aim,” Ms Pensko said.

“Digital connectivity is an enabler of opportunity in the region and Pacific Connect is focussed on fostering enhanced collaboration among Pacific nations, especially applying to innovative digital technology to support sustainable development.

“This is our first digital technology training programme in the Solomon Islands.  We see a need for better digital literacy in the community and we would also like to see Solomon Islands women comprising at least 50% of our participants.  Our intention over time is to continue further workshops” she said.

Brett Gebers CEO of Solomon Airlines welcomed the initiative.

“We are very pleased to add our support, as we appreciate the ICDP’s approach to building people-to-people links which help share knowledge, build capability and explore mutual opportunities,” he said.

“Between our Pacific neighbour countries, Australia and New Zealand there is great knowledge and experience to be shared, and it is vital for the future of regional economies that we work together and manage to keep step with global technological transformation that is occurring all around us,” he said.

Training Facilitator Brian Mangi Managing Director of ITSUP, a Solomon Islands-based IT consultancy, said he is encouraged by the response to the Pacific Connect programme.

“This is an excellent opportunity for Solomon Islanders wanting to develop or improve their digital skills. The program is particularly geared towards those who are passionate about or want to get involved in the Information Communication Technology sector,” he said.

“In the broader context of the Pacific, there is a huge disparity in how digital technology is utilised among Pacific Islands countries and a more advanced Australia. I call it the digital divide,” he said.

“In Solomon Islands we must start with individuals who want to work in ICT and help them build skills, knowledge and confidence, followed by ongoing dialogue, ideas sharing with others and online collaborations. 

“It is a case of building capability and at an individual and organisational level, to bridge the digital divide between the Pacific and Australia,” he said.

For further information about the workshops, contact Brian Mangi at [email protected].

Register online here: Free Digital Skills Workshops