Help strengthen vocational training and build practical skills for young people in Samoa

Don Bosco College and Vocational Technical Centre in Salelologa is seeking experienced vocational education teachers to mentor local staff and support students in developing trade skills. In Samoa, many tradespeople are self taught, and formal training opportunities are limited. Your expertise can help bridge this gap and promote safe, effective, and sustainable practices.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about vocational training, hands on learning, and long term capacity building.

What you’ll do

First several weeks – Learn, observe, and build trust

• Learn local customs, school expectations, and community norms.
• Observe current vocational training practices and identify strengths.
• Focus on understanding context before recommending changes.

Ongoing responsibilities

Vocational Training & Classroom Support

• Teach trade related subjects and model safe, effective, and sustainable practices.
• Support teachers to strengthen lesson planning, workshop routines, and practical demonstrations.
• Help develop simple, locally appropriate training resources.

Mentoring & Skills Transfer

• Provide ongoing coaching to vocational teachers over a 12-month period.
• Build teachers’ confidence to deliver training independently.
• Encourage reflective practice and collaborative learning among staff.

Student Development

• Support students to develop practical skills and confidence in their chosen trade.
• Promote hands on learning, problem solving, and safe workshop practices.

Cross Cultural Understanding

• Demonstrate sensitivity to Samoan cultural norms, especially around dress, communication, and community expectations.
• Foster respectful, supportive relationships with teachers and students.

What you’ll bring

• Qualifications and experience in vocational education training.
• Experience mentoring teachers, youth, or young adults.
• Patience, tolerance, and flexibility in a low resource environment.
• Cultural sensitivity and readiness to work in a rural island setting.
• Ability to cope with cultural isolation and different living standards.
• Commitment to teamwork, coaching, and sustainable skills transfer.
• Commitment to serve for 12 months with limited resources.

What you’ll gain

• Immersion in the welcoming coastal community of Salelologa.
• The opportunity to strengthen vocational training in a region with limited formal trade education.
• Professional experience in cross cultural mentoring and capacity building.
• Contribution to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 17 (Partnerships).

About the College Don Bosco College and Vocational Technical Centre in Salelologa is a Catholic, co-educational high school which offers a unique blend of academic and vocational education on the picturesque island of Savai’i, Samoa. Archbishop Mataeliga envisioned a school where students can “stay in their homes while attending school,” ensuring they remain connected to their community.

About Palms International Volunteering For 65 years, Palms International Volunteering has supported skilled Australians to live and work alongside communities in the Asia-Pacific. Our volunteers don’t ‘fix’ problem - they build relationships, strengthen local capacity, and walk with communities striving for dignity and opportunity. These are ‘solidarity placements’. Accommodation and a small stipend is provided, as well as preparation and ongoing support.

The focus is on living as a true neighbour to learn, and to establish an effective mentoring role. This is the basis for lasting capacity building in the community. It is also a chance for you to step out of the rush and reconnect with what matters through a deep cultural immersion and genuine community relationships.