Ellis Silas 4 May, 2021, 7:00 pm Trainees work at the construction of the Provincial Area Administration Offi ce at Imlao Village, South West Tanna. Picture SUPPLIED (Fenda Sam) By ELLIS SILAS, JERROL ARNHAMBAT, FENDA SAM and ANTHONY BAILEY In recognition of the centrality of human resource development to economic growth outcomes, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)-funded skills development programs around the Pacific region have been supporting skills sector reform and institutional strengthening since the late 1990s. The need to navigate complex political-economic situations at the national, provincial and community levels make the process of reform intricate, requiring time and sustained commitment.