NPA employee makes history in Palau
Christopher Willis obtains the international qualifications of an IMAS Level 3 EOD Operator and becomes the first Palauan to qualify in a globally recognized profession.
NPA-colleague from NPA Palau, Christopher Willis, has recently succeeded in obtaining the international qualifications of an IMAS Level 3 EOD Operator after a training in Kosovo. The particularity of this occasion is that Christopher is the first Palauan to qualify in a globally recognized profession.
- Besides jumping up and down with happiness, I was very proud of myself for achieving this, says Willis.
The IMAS Level 3 EOD course provides students with the required knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties & tasks during Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Operations of a qualified IMAS Level 3 EOD Operator, in accordance with International Mine Action Standards (IMAS). Willis hopes his historic career move will motivate other Palauans to get involved in mine action, but also strive towards other high qualified professions.
- Opportunities are very limited out here. We don’t have a university, only a community college. Before NPA came here, most Palauans didn’t think that these problems would be solved by ourselves. I hope more and more people now see that we can be self-dependent and find self-sustaining ways to continue this good work within our home and country, says Willis.
