Families and members of the school community filled Cakau Hall in Kinoya today to celebrate the graduates, who completed training in Automotive Engineering, Plumbing and Sheetmetal, General Carpentry, and Welding and Fabrication.
Among them were Mosese Waqanisau and Apolosa Caginivanua, who came through the Inspire Pacific Tagane Mai Programme with support from the Salvation Army.
The two overcame personal challenges to receive their Level 3 certificates in Welding and Fabrication, as well as FNU NPTC Trade Test Class 3 qualifications.
The graduates now have opportunities to take their skills beyond Fiji in the future.
Chief Guest and Narita Airport Business President Hideharu Miyamoto, who travelled from Japan for the graduation, says some graduates could have opportunities to work and learn in Japan through technical internship or specified skilled worker programmes.
Miyamoto says Narita Airport Business is working with partners in Fiji through the Kura Japan Project to develop labour mobility opportunities between Fiji and Japan.
He encouraged the graduates to make good use of their skills, saying those who take up opportunities overseas would also represent Fiji through their work ethic and behaviour.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Jone Maritino Nemani says the skills gained by the graduates are also needed in Fiji's workforce.
Nemani congratulated the students for choosing careers in the trades and says Fiji needs more people willing to take up skilled trade work.
He says the qualifications gained by the 140 graduates will be valuable to Fiji's future workforce and thanked them for their perseverance in completing their training.
