Kiribati Fisheries Training Strengthening Project (KFTSP) (MFAT, 2014-2016)

The Kiribati Fisheries Training Strengthening Project (KFTSP) was delivered by GPA staff between May 2014 and June 2016.The intended outcomes of the project were:

• The successful merger of the Fisheries Training Centre (FTC) into the Marine Training Centre (MTC);
• An improved curriculum and training resources and staff ability to deliver high quality fisheries training at the MTC; and
• A more strategic approach to the management of fisheries training and associated employment opportunities for MTC fisheries graduates.

The contract was to assess ability of the Kiribati Marine Training Centre (MTC) in Tarawa to meet the Pacific Island Regional Fisheries Observer (PIRFO) accreditation requirements. The GPA team included Robert Gillett (Team Leader), Grant Carnie (Training Specialist) and Steve Beverly (Operations Specialist). Steve Beverly was replaced by Mark Stewart in late 2015.

The main outputs and tasks of the project were to:

1. Develop a Fisheries Training Curriculum. This included:

• An assessment of the SPC pilot small-scale fisheries safety course;
• The development of a new Fisheries Training Curriculum; and
• Development of a Fisheries Training Assessment.

2. Develop fisheries training resources:

• Develop a Pole-and-Line Learner’s Guide and a Long-Line Learner’s Guide;
• Provide fisheries-oriented comment on the gear platform design and construction.

3. Comment on policies and procedures:

• Review existing policies and procedures for both the Fisheries Training College (FTC) and MTC and provide suggested changes to facilitate the integration and ensuring that there is harmonisation with the new curriculum.

Arrange fisheries instructor placements and training programmes:

• Identify appropriate fishing companies which have the required skills and capability to host a four-week fishing instructor placement; and appropriate fisheries instructors;
• Make appropriate arrangements with the fishing companies and fisheries instructors concerning the 4 week placements;
• Support delivery of International Maritime Organisation training & assessment program.

Arrange professional development programmes for management:

• Identify an appropriate training institute that holds the required skills and capability to host a two-week study tour; and appropriate MTC staff to participate in study tour;
• Make appropriate arrangements for the study tour; and
• Prepare MTC to meet PIRFO training and audit requirements.

4. Contribute to the MTC Strategic Plan:

• Complete a survey of fishing employment on industrial fishing vessels in the region; and
• Contribute to development of the MTC strategic plan.

5. Develop fisheries training resources:

• Develop a Draft General Shipboard Studies Course Guide, a Draft Shipboard Operations Course Guide, a Draft Fishing Operations Course Guide and a Draft Basic Marine Engineering Course Guide; and
• Finalise the Course Guides.

Assessment of Outcomes

The merger of the FTC into the MTC went surprisingly well and was completed in late 2014 and early 2015. MTC’s ability to deliver high quality fisheries training was significantly upgraded, with improvements are in two areas: (i) An improved curriculum and training resources; and (ii) increased Staff ability to deliver high quality fisheries training at the MTC. Finally, a more strategic approach was advanced by the agreement in principle to use competency-based training (CBT) and assessment methodology now used almost universally for vocational training and assessment – as opposed the outdated knowledge-based format ingrained in the former Kiribati Fisheries Training Centre.