ONOC inks new deal
A PARTNERSHIP agreement signed yesterday between the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) and the Pacific Community (SPC) has set the stage for the Pacific’s sporting sector to strengthen career pathways, technical expertise and administration skills across the region.
The memorandum of understanding commits ONOC’s Oceania sport education program (OSEP) to accredit its courses against the Pacific Qualifications Framework (PQF).
The accreditation process and the registration of OSEP’s realigned training courses on the Pacific Register of Qualifications and Standards will be implemented with the assistance of SPC’s education division, the Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP).
ONOC president Dr Robin Mitchell highlighted the significance of the agreement saying, “This milestone is critical to the Pacific Islands in two ways”.
“Frst in positioning sport as a key enabler of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Pacific Island countries, a fact already recognised by the United Nations and linked to the Olympic Movement. Secondly, as a core part of global recovery plans from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”
OSEP is a regional sports education program designed to build the capacity of Pacific-based coaches, administrators and trainers utilising a regional approach of collaboration. It is currently delivered across 15 Pacific Island countries and is only community-based sport education program of its kind.
SPC director-general Dr Stuart Minchin emphasised the benefits of ensuring those who invest time and resources to learn are rewarded with appropriate qualifications.
“SPC’s initiative on accreditation of short courses fills an important gap in the enhancement of the quality of education and training,” said Dr Minchin.
“Being able to use these micro-qualifications to support and strengthen the Pacific’s sporting sector will bring long term economic benefits to the region and highlight the rich sporting culture and traditions of the Pacific.”
The MOU runs from 2021 to 2024 and is geared to increase the capacity of Pacific sport coaches, administrators, and managers toward the growth of a Pacific sport industry.