𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐔 𝐓𝐀𝐅𝐄 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐕𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

Heavy Vehicle students from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Technical and Further Education (TAFE) undertook an educational field trip to the GPPOL Transport and Vehicle Workshop on Thursday 3 September, gaining practical exposure to heavy vehicle systems and professional workshop practices.

The field trip provided students with an opportunity to connect classroom theory with real-world automotive practices and observe how technical knowledge is applied in an operational heavy vehicle workshop.

According to Heavy Vehicle Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Automotive Engineering, Christopher Soso, the visit was particularly relevant to the units SIAUE3026 – Repair Steering Systems (HV) and SIAUE3027 – Repair Suspension Systems (HV).

Mr Soso said the visit gave students a valuable “look and learn” experience, helping them develop a better understanding of steering and suspension systems while observing professional workshop operations and industry standards.

A key area of learning during the visit was workplace health and safety. Students were able to observe the importance of following proper safety procedures when working around heavy vehicles, machinery, tools and workshop equipment.

Mr Soso said safety remains an essential component of automotive training and that students must develop safe and responsible working practices alongside their technical skills.

“Safety is a very important part of working in the automotive industry. Students need to understand that technical skills must always be accompanied by safe working practices and responsibility in the workplace,” he said.

The field trip also provided students with greater awareness of workplace expectations and the practical environment they may encounter as they pursue careers in the heavy vehicle and transport sectors.

Mr Soso expressed appreciation to the GPPOL Human Resources team and workshop staff for their support and cooperation in facilitating the educational visit.

He said the experience demonstrated the value of industry partnerships in complementing classroom-based training and preparing students for the workforce.

Mr Soso added that SINU TAFE looks forward to strengthening its relationship with GPPOL and creating more opportunities for students to participate in industry visits, practical training and other “look and learn” activities.

Such collaboration provides students with opportunities to enhance their technical knowledge, practical skills and workplace awareness, contributing to the development of a skilled workforce for the Solomon Islands.

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