Women Empowered with Driver Training for PALM Jobs

Australia has launched a driving training program for women in the Solomon Islands, aiming to help more women with work skills find employment in Australia through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. This project is part of the cooperation between Australia and the Solomon Islands, designed to enhance the competitiveness of Solomon Islands women in the labor market.

According to the cooperation agreement between the Solomon Islands and Australia, Australia is supporting the local driving school, the Solomon Islands Professional Driving Training Services (SIPDTS), to improve the skills of more women participating in the PALM scheme. Currently, women account for only 17% of PALM scheme participants from the Solomon Islands. The course aims to increase female participation by opening up job opportunities that require driving skills.

The driving training program was piloted in 2024, after consultations with the Solomon Islands Labour Mobility Unit and in response to employer demand for more female employees. In 2024, a total of 72 women participating in the PALM scheme completed driving training, and 13 of them are already working in Australia. The Australian High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, announced that Australia will support another 75 women to participate in the driving course in the first half of 2025.

High Commissioner Hilton stated, "Australia is helping the people of the Solomon Islands to gain the skills they need to find work and increase their income. Australia's support for women aligns with our broader efforts to strengthen the Solomon Islands workforce and increase women's access to economic opportunities. We want to ensure that women acquire skills that will not only help them find jobs now but also benefit them throughout their lives."

SIPDTS Director Joyce Laleau stated that having a driver's license is very important for women to be economically self-sufficient. "Women may miss out on job opportunities because they can't drive," Ms. Laleau said. "This partnership is very important to improve their skills, increase their chances of getting a job in Australia, and ensure they drive safely while working in Australia. It empowers women with independence, and I am very pleased to see women driving safely under the PALM scheme."

Prudence Bokolema, one of the first women to participate in the driving training this year, expressed her gratitude for the course. "I found the training very exciting and helpful, with experienced instructors guiding us on safety, road rules, and other essential skills needed to become a professional driver," Ms. Bokolema said. To date, more than 8,500 Solomon Islanders have participated in the PALM scheme, and initiatives such as driving training will support further growth in participation. Since 2021, Australia has been proud to create more than 27,300 jobs for the Solomon Islands and its people.