OBM Servicing and Carpentry Trade Training Builds Practical Skills for Participants
Honiara, Solomon Islands — August 2026: A practical trade training program focusing on Outboard Motor (OBM) servicing and maintenance and carpentry skills was conducted from mid-June to 31 July 2026, providing participants with valuable hands-on skills for employment, self-reliance, and small business opportunities.
These areas of training are conducted in Malaita, Western and Temotu Provinces in response to the industry need of those employees in these provinces. The NTTT Unit of the Labour Division, MCILI responded by conducting these trainings based on the need and request of those who have plied these trades in these fields but lacked national recognised government certificates for their trades.
The OBM training focused on teaching participants the basic knowledge and practical skills required to service and maintain outboard motor engines. Through hands-on sessions, participants were introduced to the different components of an outboard motor and learned how to identify common mechanical problems, carry out routine servicing, and perform basic maintenance.
The training enabled participants to gain practical experience in areas such as checking engine components, changing and checking engine oil, inspecting fuel systems, cleaning and maintaining parts, and troubleshooting common engine faults. The practical approach allowed participants to develop confidence in handling and maintaining outboard motors used widely for transportation and fishing activities.
Alongside the OBM training, participants also took part in carpentry trade training. The carpentry component provided practical skills in working with timber, using hand and power tools, taking measurements, and carrying out basic construction and carpentry work.
The combination of OBM servicing and carpentry training provided 145 participants with a broader range of practical trade skills that can be applied in their communities and future workplaces.
The training, which ran from mid-June through to 31 July 2026, was an important opportunity for participants to strengthen their technical abilities through practical learning. The skills gained are expected to assist participants in maintaining equipment, supporting community needs, pursuing employment opportunities, and potentially establishing small income-generating activities.
Speaking at a certificate presentation in Lata Santa Cruz, Temotu Provincial Secretary highlighted that the Province appreciate the National Govenrment through the ministry of commerce industries Labour and immigration for its commitment to training of the provincial workforce and looks forward to requesting another training in the future for those who miss this wonderful opportunity.
Speaking as a representative of the participants in Noro, Joseph said, the participants are grateful for this training because OBM Operators can now have confidence in themselves whenever they are traveling across the western lagoons and also passengers can be at ease knowing that their operators are trained individuals who can fixed OBM engines whenever accidents occurs in one of those lagoons.
The successful completion of the training demonstrates the importance of practical trade education in equipping young people and community members with skills that can contribute to livelihoods and local development.
The OBM servicing and carpentry training has therefore provided participants with useful technical foundations and practical experience that they can continue to build on as they pursue further training, employment, or self-employment opportunities.
Provincial Governments can identify training needs for their industry people and liaise with the office of the Commissioner of Labour for such training to be conducted in their respective provinces.
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OBM Servicing and Maintenance Training Noro Participants with Certificates
Auki Participants with Certificates
Lata Participants with Certificates
Participants from South Malaita at Tawataha RTC with their Certificates in Carpentry (Intermediate Level)