Four Timorese youths have been given an opportunity to undertake construction internships with major companies in New Zealand.
New Zealand ambassador to Timor-Leste Jonathan Schwass said the internship program had a heavy focus on road construction, as this was an area of importance in Timor-Leste.
He said the interns would learn many things from their three-month stint in New Zealand.
“We hope that they can learn what both companies have to offer and then when they return here, they can develop their own careers,” he said.
Schwass said the embassy hoped to expand the internship program in the future should this pilot project go well.
Two men and two women were chosen from 30 applicants.
The men will intern with Downer in Palmerston North while the women will live in Auckland to work with Hawkins.
Secretariat of State for Vocational Training, Policy and Employment general director Jacinto Gusmao Barros thanked the New Zealand government for the opportunity it had given to the interns.
“When they get back here they will help their companies to become stronger. The government is committed to supporting the private sector,” he said.
