Sharing skills in Kiribati
Practical training starts with people. For our AllTrain team, delivering machinery training in Kiribati was an opportunity to build on local operators’ skills, share knowledge and learn from the people keeping essential work moving across the islands. From adapting around machinery breakdowns to hearing the scholars sing, it was an experience our trainers will remember for a long time.
From Niue to Kiribati
Our Pacific training journey began last year with an enquiry from a member of Niue’s High Commission staff. That conversation led to AllTrain delivering training in Niue. This year, we were invited to deliver a similar programme in Kiribati, tailored to the island’s machinery and operating conditions, with support through the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Programme.
Building on local experience
The operators we worked with already had a good understanding of their machinery, and many were highly skilled. The programme gave more staff the opportunity to broaden their knowledge across multiple machines, building practical operating skills alongside a stronger awareness of health and safety. By helping more operators become skilled across a wider range of equipment, the training aimed to expand their opportunities and support the everyday work their communities depend on.
Adapting together
Machinery operators in Kiribati face challenges that call for both patience and ingenuity. Spare parts can be difficult to source, deliveries take time, and corrosion and older equipment add to the demands of keeping operations running. Our trainers saw how adaptable the participants were in working through these challenges. When machinery breakdowns and a tropical rainstorm disrupted the training schedule, that same practical approach helped us adjust and keep the programme moving together. The experience gave our team a real appreciation for the knowledge and resourcefulness local operators bring to their work.
Moments beyond the machinery
Some of the strongest memories came from the time spent connecting with participants. Our team appreciated the hospitality they were shown and the opportunity to learn about local customs. One particularly memorable moment was hearing the scholars sing. Our trainers described their beautiful voices as unlike anything they had heard before. Those moments were an important part of the experience, giving us the chance to get to know the people behind the work.
Skills that support communities
Having more people able to operate different machines can help strengthen local capability for projects such as roading and construction. Greater awareness of health and safety can also support safer operating practices and clearer processes around machinery use. The aim is to build on the expertise already within Kiribati, supporting greater self-reliance and giving more operators opportunities to contribute. We’re incredibly proud to have been part of this programme. Our hope is that our footprints have been light, but the knowledge we’ve shared has been of value. At AllTrain, our purpose is to upskill and walk alongside people, for the betterment of all our communities. Whether we’re close to home in New Zealand or working alongside our Pacific neighbours, that purpose stays with us.
