From Vision to Action: INDMO Unleashes Timor-Leste’s Skills Potential on Australian Soil

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

Melbourne, (9 April 2025) — The National Institute for Workforce Development of Timor-Leste (INDMO, I.P.) successfully concluded a four-day working visit to Victoria, Australia, from 5 to 8 April 2025. The mission reinforced Timor-Leste’s commitment to advancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), international skills cooperation, and workforce mobility through technical-level engagements with leading Australian institutions.

Led by INDMO’s CEO Ms Isabel Fernandes de Lima, the delegation met with senior representatives of the William Angliss Institute, WorldSkills Australia, and the Box Hill Institute, with a strong focus on upgrading national training systems, supporting Timorese competitors in global skills events, and building institutional capacity aligned with international standards.

At the William Angliss Institute, discussions centered on aligning Timor-Leste’s meat processing training programs with regional labor market demands, including opportunities under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. INDMO also presented its draft training packages for review, seeking technical feedback to ensure industry relevance and quality compliance.

“We are committed to raising the quality of our training packages to better serve our workers and meet regional labour market standards,” said Ms Isabel Fernandes de Lima, CEO of INDMO. “William Angliss Institute’s expertise is invaluable in this process, especially in areas such as food and meat processing”.

Mark Weatherly, Industry Team Leader at William Angliss Institute, praised the collaboration: “We welcome this opportunity to support INDMO by providing constructive feedback and technical perspectives on their draft packages. Strengthening training standards is essential for long-term workforce mobility and job readiness”.

In its meeting with WorldSkills Australia, INDMO confirmed the participation of two Timorese competitors in the fields of Bakery and Restaurant Services at the upcoming WorldSkills Australia National Championship, to be held in Queensland in June 2025. This marks a milestone for Timor-Leste as it steps further into the international skills arena.

Trevor Schwenke, CEO of WorldSkills Australia, welcomed Timor-Leste’s growing presence in the WorldSkills movement: “WorldSkills is not just a competition—it’s a global platform to elevate the recognition of skilled trades. We’re delighted to host competitors from Timor-Leste, alongside contingents from China and other countries”.

Mr. Schwenke also acknowledged INDMO’s invitation to attend the 2nd Timor-Leste International Skills Week 2025, which will be held alongside the country’s national skills competitions. He expressed strong interest in participating in the 10th WorldSkills Asia General Assembly, to be hosted in Dili in 2026.At the Box Hill Institute, the INDMO team explored pathways for capacity building of its officials through structured learning opportunities, including a potential program aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 8 in Vocational Education and Training (VET). The initiative aims to strengthen INDMO’s regulatory and technical functions within the national qualifications system.

John Qiu JP, Vice President and Director International (Justice and the Peace), emphasized: “We value this dialogue with INDMO and are ready to support the upskilling of their professionals to strengthen vocational education policy and system design in Timor-Leste”.

Ms Isabel Fernandes de Lima added, “The professional development of our team is a national priority. Gaining access to globally recognized qualifications will help elevate our institutional capacity and contribute to our broader reform agenda”.

The INDMO delegation also reconnected with Australian-Timorese Friendship Network members, including former advisors and mentors who supported INDMO’s early development. The meeting offered an opportunity to reflect on the journey of vocational reform in Timor-Leste and reaffirm the shared commitment to advancing youth skills and workforce development.

“It was heartwarming to reconnect with our long-standing friends and former mentors who continue to support our journey,” said Ms Isabel Fernandes de Lima. “Their insights and dedication remain a source of inspiration as we move forward with bold reforms”.

This visit marks a significant milestone in INDMO’s international cooperation efforts and reflects Timor-Leste’s ambition to build a competitive, skilled workforce equipped for the opportunities of the regional and global labor markets.