Enga Province actively participated in the PNG Labour Mobility Program; a transformative initiative set in motion in 2019 under the leadership of Prime Minister James Marape. This program aims to address workforce needs in Australia and New Zealand by dispatching young individuals from Enga to work in diverse roles within the agriculture and food processing industries. So far, Enga Province has sent more than 369 youths to Australia, contributing to the Labor force demands of our closest Neighbours.
Governor Sir Peter Ipatas, a visionary leader, played a crucial role in supporting this endeavor. The program specifically targets youth who may not find a place in tertiary institutions, including grade twelve dropouts. By participating in this labor mobility scheme, these young individuals have the opportunity to acquire valuable skills abroad, enriching their lives and contributing to the development of local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Enga Province. The goal is to sustain livelihoods and bolster the cash economy, benefiting rural mothers, youth, and the entire province.
Additionally, a Pacific labor mobility pilot project involving 200 women from Enga Province took place from October 2021 to April 2022. This project provided training for critical skills needed for people to participate in Pacific labor mobility initiatives in Australia, access vocational education pathways, and join the national workforce.
The Enga Province’s commitment to human resource development and economic growth through labor mobility programs demonstrates its proactive approach to shaping a brighter future for its people and the region.
How to join the Labour Mobility scheme as a worker
Should you wish to participate must apply to join the Labor Mobility scheme through the Commerce Divison,EPG.
Engans who wish to find out more, please email (mpotane@gmail.com) or call (+675 7351 5908).
You do not need to pay or give gifts to anyone to join the Labor Mobility scheme. If you have been offered a job in the Labor Mobility scheme, your employer will pay for your flights and some other costs up front so you can travel to Australia. You will need to gradually repay your employer for these costs once you start earning a wage.
Twenty-five years of stable leadership and consistent administrative machinery have resulted in EPG attracting more foreign government and NGO donor agencies to invest in all sectors in the province. ’This has been our strength and a Key strategy for addressing our development agendas.
