As Fiji face serious issues regarding labour shortage, the Fiji National University is on track to produce over 100,000 skilled workers by 2025 and 200,000 by 2030 under their Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.
This is highlighted in a statement by FNU’s Pro Vice Chancellor TVET, Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata who says TVET programmes are not just about education, they are about empowerment with exceptional graduate employability rates.
Pro Vice Chancellor TVET says their graduates are highly in demand in Fiji, region and overseas and they have noticed how graduates have departed for better opportunities and overseas offers but FNU is doing all to produce more skilled workers for Fiji.
FNU say about 69,146 students graduated from TVET programmes between 2019 and 2024 and an additional 8,505 students completing non-formal rural TVET programmes.
They say TVET programmes equip graduates for success across diverse fields and in the last two years, the university has been struggling with limited resources and drastically reduced budget from the Fiji Government to produce adequate numbers of skilled workers for local industries.
FNU say the programmes cater to a wide range of educational needs, preparing individuals for rural self-sufficiency, community development, entrepreneurship and pathways to successful careers in various industries.
They further say over the last five years, FNU has produced 11,393 graduates for the Tourism Hospitality sector, 3,360 graduates for the Information Technology sector, 9,715 graduates in Executive Management and related areas, 6,959 graduates for the Construction sector, 18,149 graduates for the Automotive sector and 5,602 graduates for the Electrical and Electronics sector.
FNU say all these training areas boast impressive 90 percent or higher employability rates and the growing demand for FNU’s TVET programmes and short courses has led to the renewed popularity of Apprenticeship and Trade Testing.
FNU is mindful of quality and relevance and they working closely with industry stakeholders in the regular review, update and improvement of TVET courses and programmes.
