Twenty-eight apprentices from the Fiji National University’s National Training and Productivity Centre were recruited for employment by Vatukoula Gold Mines (PTE) Limited (VGML) earlier this month.

NTPC’s National Apprenticeship and Trade Test Manager, Alvin Lal, said it was a proud moment to facilitate the recruitment as organisations were gradually getting back to post-pandemic status.

Lal said they will continue to monitor the performance of the apprentices and the recruitment is also a boost for others currently pursuing studies at FNU’s NTPC.

“It is a big achievement for NTPC after 28 apprentices were recruited by Vatukoula Gold Mines (PTE) Limited. There were also five female apprentices recruited, which shows that there is a keen interest from females in joining the trade job,” he said.

“Our discussions with VGML have been going on for some time now. We see this as a very long-term relationship, knowing the rich history of the organisation going back to when they were known as the Emperor Gold Mine.”

“This year we have had positive feedback from the industry on the recruitment of the apprentices. We are optimistic about recruiting more than 100 apprentices this year.”

VGML’s Senior Human Resources Officer, Shivika Sharma, said the agreement with FNU’s NTPC will assist in increasing productivity while ensuring it has quality tradespeople to support its core business.

“It is a milestone to resume our apprenticeship programme again after almost a decade. We are honoured to be part of the partnership with NTPC and we are looking forward to the success of the National Apprenticeship Scheme at VGML,” she said.

“We will look after the Apprentices and ensure that they learn and graduate at the end of their contract. We will also continue to motivate and encourage them to become better tradespeople and contribute towards the success of the company while also helping them grow in their respective fields. The scheme will also help them with their professional and personal development.”

Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata, Director of the NTPC, said his team will continue to work hard and help increase the productivity of the organisations in Fiji.

“We are starting the year on a positive note as we get back to normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic. The recruitment of 28 apprentices speaks volumes for itself, indicating the demand for tradespeople is increasing in the country,” said Dr Tagicakiverata.

“As Fiji’s National Productivity Organisation, we are committed to providing quality service to our workers in terms of increasing productivity and advancing apprentices’ professional careers.”

The National Apprenticeship Scheme is a three-way agreement between the apprentice, the employer, and FNU’s NTPC. For three to four years, the apprentices are supervised and instructed by competent industry specialists. It allows the apprentice to be paid as an employee while learning and studying for academic certificates and diplomas part-time at university.

Since the scheme’s inception in 1963, the Centre has graduated 8834 apprentices, with 70 expected to graduate at the end of 2022.

For further information about the National Apprenticeship Scheme contact us via email info.ntpc@fnu.ac.fj or call us 2417779.