According to the Bank’s website, the technical assistance (TA) will support the project by strengthening the capacity of the Government of Kiribati to deliver high-quality, resilient infrastructure and improve workforce development in the construction sector. Located in Kiribati, the TA will primarily benefit the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE), and the Kiribati Institute of Technology (KIT) (in the construction trades), along with local construction contractors and trainees. The TA will (i) provide advisory support to the MOE on project and contract management; (ii) supplement the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy's capacity to conduct site inspections across the outer islands and ensure construction quality; (iii) introduce and deliver a Certificate IV in Building and Construction at the KIT through an accredited offshore provider, while building the KIT's capacity to offer the course independently in the future; and (iv) coordinate industry-focused traineeships linked to dormitory construction, expanding practical training opportunities for the KIT graduates and industry employees. These activities will address critical institutional and workforce gaps, promote sustainability of investments, and create new pathways for local employment and skills advancement.

Kiribati faces acute challenges in delivering sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure to meet the needs of its growing population, particularly in education. The domestic construction industry is small, fragmented, and constrained by a limited number of qualified supervisors, site managers, and skilled trainers. Competitiveness is further weakened by complex bid qualification requirements, limited access to insurance, and a shortage of skilled local contractors, increasing the risks of delays and cost overruns. Most local training courses in the construction trades culminate at Certificate III, providing basic trade skills but not the supervisory, planning, and quality assurance competencies needed for larger or more complex projects. The KITthe country's main technical and vocational education and training institutionlacks staff with qualifications beyond Certificate III, limiting its capacity to produce higher-skilled construction professionals. This persistent skills gap entrenches reliance on a small pool of local and international contractors and slows progress toward Kiribati's national development, education sector, and climate resilience goals. The MOE also requires stronger project management capacity, particularly as it undertakes its first multilateral development bank-financed project. The MISE staffing constraints affect its ability to conduct regular construction inspections across the outer islands, creating risks of delays to quality inspections, construction schedules, and project implementation. Without targeted support, capacity gaps threaten to compromise project quality, timeliness, and sustainability.

The TA financing amount is $800,000, which will be financed on a grant basis by ADB’s Technical Assistance Special Fund.

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