Vanuatu stands at a critical juncture. The global economy demands skilled tradespeople and innovators, and for our nation to thrive, we must nurture our own talent. Fields such as construction, welding, mechanics, electrical and electronics engineering, and boat building are the backbone of a modern economy. These are not merely jobs, they are the engines of infrastructure, industry, and sustainable growth.

The Vital Role of Boat Building

As an island nation, Vanuatu’s identity and economy are deeply tied to the sea. Well-crafted, reliable vessels are essential for transport, fishing, tourism, and trade. Skilled boat builders are both custodians of traditional knowledge and drivers of innovation, with the potential to propel our blue economy forward.

The Unspoken Cost: A Rising Tide of Imports

Vanuatu faces a troubling paradox. While our communities need skilled hands, the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) program in Australia and New Zealand, though beneficial for family incomes, underscores a deeper issue: the lack of competitive career pathways at home. This talent drain creates a vacuum with two significant consequences:

• The Import of Labour: As our potential builders and technicians work abroad, Vanuatu is forced to import foreign labour for major construction and technical projects. This creates a cycle of dependency, with premium wages paid to external workers while our own talent remains underutilized.
• The Import of Goods: Without a robust local workforce, we rely on imported finished goods and prefabricated structures products we could produce ourselves. From building components to specialized boats, we are exporting opportunities and importing dependency, undermining our economic self-sufficiency.

This trend risks losing a generation of builders, engineers, and innovators not due to a lack of ambition, but a lack of viable domestic opportunities.

A Blueprint for a Self-Reliant Vanuatu

To reverse this narrative, we must treat this challenge as a national economic priority. A coordinated effort among government, industry, and educational institutions is essential. Here is a strategic blueprint for action:

1. A National Strategy for Technical Excellence
   The Government of Vanuatu, in collaboration with institutions like the Vanuatu National University (VNU) and technical colleges, must establish a National Skills Strategy. This strategy should:
   • Identify critical industries such as construction and boat building.
   • Align training programs with the real-world needs of our economy.
   • Ensure graduates are job-ready with practical, industry-relevant skills.
2. Modernize and Elevate Technical Training (TVET)
   Investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres is critical. Key actions include:
   • Upgrading curricula to incorporate modern techniques, sustainable materials, and digital literacy.
   • Investing in state-of-the-art equipment that meets current industry standards.
   • Creating apprenticeship programs to provide hands-on experience with local businesses, ensuring a seamless transition from training to employment.
3. Foster a Culture of Entrepreneurship
   Training skilled workers is only half the solution, we must empower them to become job creators. This can be achieved by:
   • Offering government-backed micro-loan programs for trade-based businesses.
   • Providing business mentorship to guide aspiring entrepreneurs.
   • Reducing bureaucratic barriers to starting small businesses, enabling welders to open workshops and boat builders to establish shipyards.
4. Promote the Value of Trades
   We must elevate the status of technical professions through:
   • Public awareness campaigns celebrating the contributions of tradespeople.
   • Showcasing rewarding, nation-building careers in trades, emphasizing their role in shaping Vanuatu’s future.

Building Our Future with Our Own Hands

Investing in local talent is the most direct path to economic independence. By training and employing our own people, we retain capital, foster innovation, and build resilient industries. Empowering our youth with the skills and opportunities they deserve lays the foundation for a stronger, more self-reliant Vanuatu, one that builds its own future with its own hands.