Two-hundred places are up for grabs in Solomon Islands for people wanting to register for possible future employment in Australia.
Solomon Islands workers in New Zealand Photo: RNZ Lynda Chanwai-Earle
The Solomons Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is planning a recruitment drive in the capital Honiara next Thursday, for a 'work ready pool' as part of preparations for ongoing participation in Canberra's Pacific Labour Scheme.
According to the Solomon Business Magazine the first 11 Solomon Islands workers to take part in the scheme were hired this year.
Advertisements in the local papers said intending applicants for the 'work ready pool' must be unemployed, be between 21 and 45 years of age, have a valid passport, be healthy and have a clean criminal record.
On Thursday applicants will be interviewed and undergo a fitness test.
The ministry said provincial recruitment drives will be held over the coming months with Makira and Choiseul province next on the list.
According to the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade workers from Kiribati, Nauru, Tuvalu, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu currently have access to the Pacific Labour Scheme.
The ministry said Tonga will be the next country to join the scheme, followed by additional countries including Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Timor-Leste.