The upcoming Fiji National University (FNU) National TVET Forum will bring together industry leaders, educators, policymakers, students, and other stakeholders to discuss and strategise on enhancing the future of technical, vocational education and training (TVET) in Fiji.

Fiji National University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba

FNU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, is looking forward to seeing the coalition government and other relevant stakeholders joining forces for a better future for TVET in Fiji.

“The National TVET Forum aims to provide the government and relevant stakeholders with practical ideas and solutions. In 2023, we introduced a reflective approach to facilitate this objective. This year, we intend to advance this initiative by directly engaging stakeholders and government representatives and challenging them to outline their implementation strategies and timelines.”

FNU Pro-Vice-Chancellor TVET Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata

FNU’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor TVET, Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata, said the forum aims to foster collaboration, share innovative practices, and align TVET programmes with the evolving needs of the labour market, ensuring that Fiji’s workforce is equipped with the skills necessary for future economic growth and development.

“The key objectives of the forum are derived from the theme: “TVET in Fiji, Focus on the Future” and the main objectives are to discuss and address current TVET challenges with stakeholders and to forecast the future of TVET in Fiji,” said Dr Tagicakiverata.

“The forum hopes to address specific areas of interest such as the skills gap in the Fijian workforce, underemployment in TVET, Greening TVET, climate resilience through TVET, technologies of the future, and skills of the future.”

Dr Tagicakiverata also revealed that the forum is a networking and information-sharing platform for institutions and employers.

“FNU will introduce new initiatives, competitions and internationalisation strategies in Apprenticeship, Trade Testing and Accreditation.”

“This forum gives us a head start in imagining the workforce of the future and what we can start doing today to prepare for the future,” added Dr Tagicakiverata.

The National TVET Forum will be held on Monday, 27 May at FNU’s Namaka Campus and is open to everyone including students.

Interested participants can register by emailing Priya Chandrani on priya.chandrani@fnu.ac.fj or Nitin Kumar on nitin.k@fnu.ac.fj