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| Mr. Robert Matthews (CEO, Tonga Power Ltd), HE Sarah Walsh (New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga), Mr. Neil Jones (Project Leader, Tonga Village Network Upgrade Project) and the Line Mechanics at the Certificate Awards Programme. Davina House. 11th August 2017. |
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| Sixteen line mechanics currently working under the Tonga Village Network Upgrade Project have successfully completed their New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply. |
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| The training is supported by the New Zealand funded Tonga Village Network Upgrade Programme, which is helping to upgrade the electricity network in 50 villages in Tongatapu. |
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| The certificates allow the graduates to be able to work safely to industry standards, taking responsibility for their work and that of others, and be capable of working independently whilst ensuring public safety. |
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| The purpose of this qualification is to provide the electricity supply industry and organisations such as Tonga Power Ltd with people who have sufficient knowledge, practical skills and experience to gain registration as a line mechanic in the distribution sector, in accordance with the registration requirements of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. |
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| Receiving their awards today, means that the line mechanics will be qualified to hold similar roles in New Zealand and also open doors to international opportunities. |
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| One female line mechanic and 15 linesmen completed their training successfully which included subject areas in Engineering and Related Technologies, Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Technology, Power Line Installation and Maintenance. |
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| Mr. Robert Matthews, Tonga Power’s CEO acknowledged the Government of New Zealand for their continuous support and leading the training to a success. |
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| Over $200K was spent to train the linesmen to this level and the training is expected to have a significant impact on the quality of the distribution network in the future. |
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| Mr. Matthews thanked the training providers and assessors from New Zealand who have helped make the training possible which involved A2B, Metre and Connexis and the support from TPL’s management team Neil Jones, the Project Leader for the Tonga Village Network Upgrade Project as well as Seti Chen, Tonga Power’s General Manager – Operations and Major Projects Manager, Simon Wilson. |
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| The ceremony was attended by the New Zealand High Commissioner, HE Sarah Walsh who was also the Guest of Honour of the day, Tonga Power’s CEO, Mr. Robert Matthews and guests. |
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