The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, today announced new funding which will help more than 3,400 students build vocational skills and employment opportunities throughout the Pacific.
Australia will provide $152 million over four years from the aid program to continue to support the Australia Pacific Technical College.
Ms Gillard said this latest funding will help thousands of students graduate from the college between 2011 and 2015 and will focus on streamlining administration to ensure better value for money.
She said that ensuring that Pacific nations are prosperous, successful and stable is in Australia's national interest and this training will help these small nations with their development.
The program helps transform people's lives through international standard technical training, leading to further training opportunities and access to better jobs.
Since the APTC program began in June 2007 more than 3,000 people from Pacific Island countries have graduated from the college with qualifications that are recognised internationally.
The qualifications give graduates the chance to put their new skills into practice anywhere in the world, and especially in the region, which improves trade opportunities and people-to-people links across the Pacific.
College campuses have been established in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu. A Scholarship Fund has also been set up for disadvantaged students including those from remote areas and countries without a campus.
Australian-standard training is delivered in eight industry sectors including the automotive, manufacturing, engineering, construction, health, tourism, hospitality and community services.
Ms Gillard also announced Australia would provide $2.7 million to support research on technical and vocational education and training costs and financing across the Pacific. This research will be used to inform national and donor-decision making on education and training for the region.