The Government is strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to address Fiji's skilled labour shortage as more workers take up employment opportunities overseas.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Minister for Employment, Agni Deo Singh says the Government is working with several tertiary institutions, including the University of the South Pacific, Fiji National University, Pacific Polytech, the Fiji National University agriculture campuses and Monfort Boys Town, to increase training opportunities.
He says almost 70 percent of last year's scholarship budget was allocated to TVET, highlighting the Government's commitment to producing more skilled workers.
Singh says while Fiji cannot match the salaries offered in Australia and New Zealand, the focus is on ensuring workers who leave are replaced through local training programmes.
The Minister also clarified that under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, only unskilled workers from rural communities are recruited, and not skilled tradespeople or professionals.
He is encouraging unemployed Fijians to register with the National Employment Centre, saying there are employment opportunities available in the construction, wholesale and retail sectors.
Responding to concerns that returning seasonal workers are not sharing the skills they gain overseas, Singh says returnees come back with valuable knowledge in financial literacy, discipline and business management, which helps many of them establish their own businesses.
He adds that all returning workers also undergo a reintegration programme that provides additional training to help them apply the skills and knowledge gained overseas.
