Hailing from Mount Hagen in Papua New Guinea, Mr Elpeno and Mr Foki spent three months with Hort Enterprises learning Australian standard welding skills.

They were farewelled at Patmos Gardens by PNG’s Consul General Sumasay Singin, mayor John Davis and Orange City Council’s sister city committee chairman Chris Gryllis.

Councillor Gryllis said Orange had a long relationship with Mt Hagen which had been taken to the “next level” with support from Jeff Hort.

“Paul and Michael have been in Orange as part of a joint program between Orange City Council and Jeff Hort Engineering to assist in skills development in Mt Hagen, which is one of Orange City Council’s sister cities,” Cr Gryllis said.

“We are looking to replicate this program again. Council also provided assistance to Mt Hagen in developing a city plan for the highlands city.

“That plan helped guide development and services in Hagen but is approaching the end of it 10 year framework. We’ll be looking to see how we can help update it,” Cr Gryllis said.

PNG’s Consul General Sumasy Singin said he would like to see the program providing practical skills grow.

“An engineer can be standing there with a map and a diagram, but who does the work?” Mr Singin asked.

Mr Singing, who met Mr Foki and Mr Elpeno, said the men were excited to bring new ideas and skills to PNG.

He said said he would be pushing to see more support for the program from Mt Hagen’s local politicians and recognition from Australian Aid.

“Recognition from AusAid make it easier with funding but is also assists with the immigration rules,” he said.

Mr Singin said support from Australian Aid would make it easier for people to spend time in Australia to learn skills which were scarce in PNG.

“I want to see more training, and to see the trainer of trainers visit Mt Hagen,” Mr Singin said.

“The cost of bringing two workers down is huge, it could be easier by finding an institution in PNG and bringing the knowledge to that institution.”