14/05/2026
Our People Recognition Ceremony – Celebrating IRC’s Investment in Staff Capacity Development
The Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) reaffirmed its commitment to building a capable, competent, and future-ready workforce during the HR Recognition Ceremony held on Wednesday, 13th May 2026.
Organized by the Human Resource Division (HRD) Learning & Development team, the event celebrated and recognized the Commission’s continued investment in staff development and capability building across the organization.
The ceremony follows the successful completion of the IRC Organizational Restructure in July 2024, which introduced improved qualification requirements across all positions within the Commission. Under the new structure, a Bachelor Degree became the minimum qualification requirement for all IRC positions.
During the transition process, a total of 337 officers were identified as capable but not having formal qualifications.
In response to the Commission’s directive, the Human Resource Division developed a planned and phased Professional Development Program aimed at progressively upgrading staff qualifications. The initiative initially focused on Assistant Commissioners, Directors, Managers, and senior technical officers before cascading down to officers across the organization.
Through the approved 2025 and 2026 IRC Annual Training Plans, significant progress has already been achieved under the Professional Development Program.
Under the Degree (Bachelor) Program, 337 staff were identified for qualification upgrades. In 2025, a total of 33 officers were approved to undertake degree studies, while another 54 officers were approved in 2026, bringing the total number of approved officers to 87.
Of these, 13 officers have already graduated in 2026, with six graduates coming from the Regional and Provincial Offices Division (ROD) and seven from Port Moresby-based divisions. A further 54 officers are currently undertaking studies, while the remaining 270 officers will progressively be considered in future batches.
The Commission has also invested in leadership development through its Master’s Program, both overseas and in-country, targeting future divisional leadership talent within IRC.
Under this program, 15 officers were identified as future talents for development. To date, six officers have successfully graduated between 2025 and 2026, while four officers are currently studying. Another five officers remain to commence studies, including one officer from the Regional Offices Division.
The People Recognition Ceremony provided an opportunity for the Acting Commissioner General to address participating officers and highlight Executive Management’s expectations regarding the Commission’s investment in staff development.
In his remarks, the Acting Commissioner General emphasized the importance of continuous learning, professionalism, accountability, and personal growth within the workplace. He encouraged officers to fully utilize the opportunities provided to strengthen their knowledge, leadership capabilities, and overall contribution towards IRC’s ongoing transformation journey.
He further stated that, at its heart, the modernization of the IRC is not just about new systems, technology, or organisation structure, it is about people. It is about building a workforce that is capable, confident, adaptable, and ready to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. He stressed; the achievements we celebrate today reflect more than personal success; they represent the future strength of the organization. As the IRC continues its journey toward a modern, data-driven, and agile Tax Administration, our success will depend on aligning our people, skills, structures, and systems together.
Most importantly, it requires a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and leadership so that we are not only keeping pace with change, but positioning ourselves ahead of it in service to the country and our taxpayers.
The ceremony reflected IRC’s broader vision of building a modern, professional, and highly capable workforce equipped to effectively deliver tax administration services for Papua New Guinea into the future.
