College helps in bridging education disparity

THE need to provide alternative educational opportunities to the growing number of school leavers every year has become a daunting challenge faced by the Government and one institution in the Highlands has made it its mission to help out-of-school students.

The Highlands Youth Training and Rehabilitation College (HYTARC) was founded in 2000 by Michael Goro and his wife Anna to respond to the pressing need for an inclusive educational system to cater for students who have missed out on mainstream education pathways.

The college started off in Jiwaka and has since branched out to Goroka, Lae, Bulolo, Alotau and Port Moresby. Courses taught range from management, office administration, information technology, public administration, tourism and hospitality and government studies.

Vocational training

The institute also provides vocational training in electrical, motor vehicle mechanics, welding and metal fabrication as well as carpentry and driver’s training for light and heavy machinery. The Port Moresby and Jiwaka campuses also offer boarding facilities for students.

“The college is a nationally owned private training institute registered with the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) and licensed by the National Training Council. With over 20 years of professional experience, the management and staff have dedicated themselves to delivering quality training and rehabilitation programmes,” said director and founder Michael Goro.

“The inception of HYTARC was driven by the vision to provide quality education and training to the youth of Papua New Guinea, recognising the inadequacies and irregularities in government-provided educational resources.”

Goro said the college provided certificate and diploma level courses with a new initiative of providing students with personal laptops upon registration.

“Students get a free laptop when they meet up to 70 per cent of their course fees and that’s something we’ve introduced to help accommodate their learning experience and training,” Goro added. 

“The college’s mission is clear, to utilise available resources and deliver quality training programmes that would empower students and transform their lives. From its humble beginnings, HYTARC has grown into an institution that has a strong foundation in education and rehabilitation.

“Our commitment to excellence is evident in our expansion across the nation. The main campus, located on a 20-hectare leased land in Banz, Jiwaka, has modern classroom facilities, dormitories, and a fully furnished computer learning centre.

“Education goes beyond academics and learning inside a classroom. The college’s values emphasise professionalism, quality service, equal employment opportunities, and honest practice. We want what is best for our students and we’re equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills as they prepare to join the workforce.”

Mission

HYTARC’s mission is to foster the intellectual, social, and moral growth of each student, creating an educational community where passion for learning thrives. The college’s slogan, “Make Nobody Become Somebody,” encapsulates its dedication to transforming lives and empowering individuals.

Since its inception, the college has taken significant steps by providing training programmes recognised by the National Youth Commission and partnering with non-government organisations, donor agencies, and corporate bodies to position itself among private training providers in Papua New Guinea.

The college’s graduates are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to contribute to the development of their society.

“The college prides itself on its highly qualified consultants and dedicated staff, who bring a wealth of experience from the public service and corporate sectors.

“With a team of 40 resident staff members and over 20 specialist consultants on standby, HYTARC ensures that its programs are delivered by professionals who are fully qualified, experienced, licensed, and certified. The diverse backgrounds of the staff members create a unique and enriching working environment,” Goro added.

“HYTARC’s journey is a testament to the power of education and the impact it can have on individuals and communities. As the college continues to strive for excellence, it remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for the youth of Papua New Guinea.”

HYTARC offers a range of cost-effective and quality modular services in education, training, and rehabilitation that range between K5,400-K13,600 per.

The amount of resources the institute has invested in includes a database of over 100 professionals, permanent infrastructure at the Jiwaka campus, durable office equipment, a fleet of vehicles, and a school farm for sustainability. The college’s clients range from provincial governments and district scholarship programmes to project- based companies, donor agencies, and private sponsors.

Training components

Goro outlined that the college directed its efforts on five main areas when conducting training which include; 

1. Training and development: Corporate training and career development programs delivered by highly trained professionals.

2. Career development: Diploma and Certificate programs designed for school leavers and individuals seeking foundational knowledge and employment skills.

3. Tailored corporate training: Short courses tailored to meet the training and development needs of client staff.

4. Community-based training: Courses designed to empower community residents with skills for sustainable livelihoods, in partnership with Unicef PNG.

5.Management consultancy service: Consulting on performance appraisals, training needs analysis, HR planning and policy, marketing research, project management, and SME development.

HYTARC’s curriculum combines academic rigor with innovative co-curricular opportunities. The on- job training (OJT) experience programme connects students’ academic coursework with hands-on learning outside the classroom. The college operates on a dual semester calendar and uses a letter- based grading system.

Matriculation

“Graduates have successfully matriculated to higher institutions such as the University of Papua New Guinea, PNG University of Technology, University of Goroka, and Divine Word University,” said Goro.

Meanwhile, Goro stated that, “as a nationally owned and operated technical and rehabilitation school, we are embarking on providing second chance opportunities for youths through technical school.

“These kids will still become somebody in the future and still be contributing to the development of this country. At HYTARC, we are reaching out to all district MPs to partner with us to provide scholarships for their respective youths back in their districts.”