DILI, 12 february 2026 (TATOLI) – The Governments of Timor-Leste and Australia on thursday launched the Pacific Australia Skills (PAS) program in Timor-Leste, a regional initiative aimed at strengthening the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, enhancing workforce skills, and expanding access to inclusive and sustainable employment opportunities.
The program was officially launched by the Secretary of State for Vocational Training and Employment, Rogério Mendonça, and the Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Caitlin Wilson, at the Palm Spring Hotel in Dili.
The event brought together government officials, private sector partners, vocational training institutions, and other key stakeholders.
Speaking at the ceremony, Rogério Mendonça described the program as an important step in the national effort to build a more skilled and resilient country.
“With investment in skills, we are not only teaching a profession, but also strengthening productivity and national resilience,” he said, underscoring that the program aims to create concrete opportunities through quality training, professional development, and stronger partnerships between businesses and educational institutions.
Mendonça added that the initiative also seeks to promote inclusion, with a focus on women, youth, people with disabilities, and rural communities.
Ambassador Wilson said the initiative marks a milestone in bilateral cooperation and aligns with Timor-Leste’s development priorities and labor market needs.
According to the diplomat, PAS builds on the achievements of the Australia Pacific Training Coalition, which between 2021 and 2025 supported more than 1,550 Timorese in accessing qualifications, short courses, and other training opportunities.
Wilson explained that the program will work closely with the Government and institutions such as the Instituto Nacional de Desenvolvimento de Mão de Obra, as well as training centers, employers, and communities, to strengthen the national skills system.
The initiative will also deliver training tailored to domestic market demands and the industrial sector, while opening labor mobility opportunities to Australia through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme.
According to the Ambassador, the program aims to ensure that the skills acquired have a lasting impact not only during employment abroad, but also after workers return home.
In the coming months, the program will move into a public consultation phase with the Government and development partners to define strategic priorities and prepare its first annual activity plan.
Journalist: Cidalia Fátima
Editor: Armandina Moniz
