INDMO, I.P. Explores Opportunities for Workforce Mobility and Skills Recognition with South Australian Partners

INDMO, I.P. | Mr Aquiles S. Guterres

Adelaide, South Australia – (April 4, 2025 ll From 1 to 5 April 2025), the National Institute for Workforce Development (INDMO, I.P.) of Timor-Leste conducted a technical-level mission to Adelaide, South Australia, aimed at strengthening international partnerships in skills development, occupational recognition, and workforce mobility.

The official delegation, led by Ms. Isabel Fernandes de Lima, CEO of INDMO, I.P. and Head of Delegation, held key engagements with the South Australia Skills Commission, the National Meat Industry Training Advisory Council (MINTRAC), TAFE South Australia (TAFE SA), and the JBS Meat Processing Plant in Bordertown. A major focus of the visit was to consult and obtain insights on training packages developed by INDMO, I.P. in meat processing and to align them with Australian standards. This forms part of INDMO, I.P.’s broader strategy to prepare Timorese workers for decent employment opportunities, especially under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. The delegation also examined pathways to achieve occupational skills recognition and enhance workforce readiness for the Australian labor market.

“Our mission in South Australia marks a pivotal step towards equipping Timorese workers with skills that meet global standards,” said Ms. Isabel Fernandes de Lima.

“We are not just working to promote skills recognition—we’re opening doors to life-changing employment opportunities in Australia and beyond.”

At the South Australia Skills Commission, the INDMO, I.P. team discussed the policy and structural frameworks needed to develop a recognised national system for skills certification and mobility. Mr. Cameron Wright, CEO of the Commission, noted: “We’re excited to see the potential for shared skills development between Timor-Leste and South Australia. We’ve worked on similar initiatives with othercountries, and there’s real value in this collaboration for both our nations."

The visit to JBS Meat Processing Plant in Bordertown provided practical insight into current job and task roles within the meat processing industry. JBS shared detailed occupational profiles to support INDMO, I.P. in aligning its training content with industry-specific needs. Ms. Hannah Grady, HR Manager of JBS Bordertown, welcomed the initiative: “This initiative with INDMO, I.P. to provide job-ready training for Timorese workers is a win-win. By ensuring candidates are properly trained before joining our team, we help ensure smoother transitions and greater success in the workplace.”

At MINTRAC, INDMO, I.P. held consultations on how skills development in meat processing could be improved through regional cooperation. Mr. Mark Wadsworth, Industry Training and Engagement Lead at MINTRAC, emphasised their support: “MINTRAC welcomes the opportunity to work with INDMO, I.P. and its RTOs to establish relevant and industry-approved training in Timor-Leste.”

He added that MINTRAC is currently revising training packages for Australian RTOs and industry needs, and is happy to provide insights and feedback to INDMO, I.P. MINTRAC is an accredited partner of the South Australia Skills Council in skills recognition for meat workers in the state. It has previously delivered similar programs in partnership with TAFE Queensland in the Pacific Islands.

This collaboration with INDMO, I.P. and the accredited RTOs could serve as another strong model of regional workforce development. The delegation also visited TAFE South Australia, where discussions centered on curriculum design, training delivery, and trainer development.

Mr. Greg Bassani Lynch of TAFE SA stated: “We see a strong opportunity to work with INDMO, I.P. directly in Timor-Leste to deliver high-quality, contextualised training that ensures Timorese workers are prepared for employment both locally and internationally.”

Mr. Simon Bosco, also from TAFE SA, added: “This is more than just a training initiative—it’s a partnership for workforce transformation. We’re excited about the potential to help young Timorese access life-changing opportunities through education and skills.”

To reinforce this growing collaboration, INDMO, I.P. officially invited MINTRAC, the South Australia Skills Commission, TAFE SA, and JBS to participate in the 2^nd International Skills Week in Dili, Timor-Leste, from 15 to 19 September 2025. The event will feature national and international skills competitions, TVET exhibitions, policy discussions, and knowledge exchange forums.T he outcomes of this mission reaffirm INDMO, I.P.’s commitment to building practical, high-impact training and mobility pathways for Timorese workers. By aligning national qualifications with international benchmarks, INDMO, I.P. is working to ensure that Timor-Leste’s workforce is both competitive and recognised in the global economy.