Young people in Fiji continue to face significant challenges in finding employment despite their qualifications.
During the fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan show, contestants of the Hibiscus Festival 2025 Presented by FMF, shared their views on whether youths are given enough opportunities or if they still face struggles.
Miss Unique Rubber Stamps, Temalesi Tuiwalese pointed out that many youths who have already graduated are still struggling to find jobs.
Miss Social Advocacy Network, Anaseini Doidoi stressed the high number of school dropouts who are struggling, saying that even though there are vocational schools for them, more efforts from communities are still needed to help them.
Miss Leleuvia Resort, Tiare Colavoli emphasised that opportunities do exist, but young people often lack awareness about them.
She suggested that to fill gaps in the education system, students in Year 9 and Year 11 should also have options for trade jobs instead of only choosing arts and science streams.
Miss National Fire Authority, Rhyelle Aisea highlighted that while Fiji has progressive policies on paper, there is a lack of enforcement and resources to translate these into real action.
She says youths still have to fight for opportunities, which is upsetting because the country has many other areas, such as planting and fishing, that could be promoted as sources of employment for young people.
Miss Apco Coatings, Gitali Ram pointed out the difficulties youths face in securing jobs in Fiji, leading many to migrate abroad for opportunities.
She says that while education is free for primary and secondary schools and students do graduate, the workforce is not as accommodating as it should be to cater to graduates entering their respective career fields.
