‘Bonne Chance’ to the 2011 New Zealand Government Scholarship Recipients

2011 STTA awardees from New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna

In late September, 17 young people from New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna will arrive in New Zealand to begin training funded by Short Term Training Awards from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Short Term Training Awards are offered to give young people from the French Pacific Territories an opportunity to undertake training they would not otherwise have access to, and which will help meet their country’s development needs.  Many past scholarship recipients have gone on to successful careers in the private and public sectors, and made useful contributions to their communities.

Over the next year, the 2011 scholarship recipients will live with New Zealand host families and study to improve their English language skills, then train in an area of specific interest to them. The training opportunities are in a wide range of sectors, including tourism and hospitality, graphic design, health and safety and business management. The students will be dispersed in training institutions and worksites throughout New Zealand.

On 20 September, scholarship recipients from New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna met at the New Zealand Consul-General’s residence in Noumea. The students were briefed on the conditions of their scholarship and on what to expect during their stay in New Zealand. The function was also an opportunity for the students to meet with previous scholarship recipients and hear about their experiences, and to thank all those that have helped them get this far, including the local authorities and their families. A similar function was hosted by the Ministry of Education in Papeete to congratulate and send off the three scholarship recipients from French Polynesia.

Every year, staff at the New Zealand Consulate work over several months to promote the Short Term Training Award scheme in the French Pacific Territories, select candidates for the scholarships, and help the chosen recipients to prepare for their stay in New Zealand.

‘Bonne chance’ to the 2011 recipients - We are already looking forward to meeting the 2012 group! 

Further information:

Short Term Training Awards
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade