Central West Group Apprentices (CWGA) has signed a partnership with the East Timor Development Agency (ETDA) to contribute business systems and training to help build new skills in Timor-Leste.

CWGA CEO Ben Bardon recently returned from Dili after signing a Service Agreement with the ETDA and providing training for 6 of their staff in the Timor-Leste Internships and Apprenticeships (TIA) Program.

The pilot program will start by training 120 interns in the tourism and hospitality industry. The program is supported by USAID who will pay half of the intern’s salaries during the 6 month training and work placement program. It’s an initiative of the ETDA who play a major role in building skills in Timor-Leste.

“The people of Timor-Leste are our neighbours and as the world’s newest state they face multiple challenges as they rebuild their infrastructure and their economy. We believe we can share the business practices we use to achieve high quality apprenticeship outcomes here to help build the skills base in Timor –Leste. In return we have learned a lot from the ETDA about how to rapidly develop capability and make things happen” Said Ben Bardon