There will be no Pilot Training intake under the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service (TSLS) 2027 cycle, a decision that has raised concerns among Year 13 students hoping to pursue careers as pilots, while Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel says the number of places is determined by demand and consultation with airlines.
TSLS says the decision follows the significant number of scholarships awarded in recent years, with 59 students currently on active scholarships and more than 70 private students undertaking pilot training.
It says this is considered sufficient to meet Fiji Airways’ projected pilot intake requirements over the next few years.
Deputy headboy of Labasa College, Shahaab Aziz, has raised concerns, saying many students in his school have been preparing for the pilot training pathway for years and are frustrated that they will not have the opportunity to apply next year.
Aziz says while students understand Government budgets can be complicated, they should at least be given the opportunity to apply and compete for available places.
Aziz says if a student applied and was not selected, they would accept the outcome, but having no intake means students do not get the opportunity to try.
He says students are also beginning to think about how decisions made by leaders will affect their future, particularly as they reach an age where they are eligible to vote.
When questioned, TSLS says the temporary pause will allow it to assess future workforce needs in collaboration with Fiji Airways and recalibrate intake levels accordingly.
It says students who wish to pursue Pilot Training in 2027 will not be provided financial assistance through TSLS and are encouraged to consider other programmes aligned with national priority areas.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel says Government will assess the need for 2027 and could increase the number of places if there is still a need.
He says the remaining pilot training places are privately funded.
