The Fiji National University’s (FNU) National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) launched a month-long 2022 Industry and Community Discussion Forum (ICDF) virtually today.

The NTPC, which is also the National Productivity Organisation of Fiji, conducts this annual study by identifying workforce upskilling and re-skilling areas. The feedback and input from participants assist the centre in strengthening and ensuring the relevance of its training courses for organisations in Fiji.

The aim of the ICDF is to collect information on the training needs of employers and employees and how NTPC can provide such training and courses to close the skills gap.

Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata, Director NTPC, said ICDF is a significant and much-anticipated event for the National Training and Productivity Centre every year.

“As the designated National Productivity Organisation for the Fiji Government, NTPC has a key role to play in conducting in-service training and promoting productivity in Fiji, and we hope to continue to do that with your kind support towards the ICDF. This forum is also in line with our new FNU strategic plan, Pillar 1: Education for Employability, and Sphere 2: National Development,” Dr Tagicakiverata said.

The month-long forum will see NTPC holding virtual discussions with employers, employees, and various organisations in the country. NTPC, in parallel, will also conduct an online survey where individuals and organisations can participate and give their views to our data collection team.

For the first time in the history of NTPC, the Centre will also hold a Careers Fair for our existing students and future students who are intending to study the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) courses at the NTPC. The career fair will be held every Thursday for the month of March.

“As part of the ICDF 2022, this year, my team has decided to include a career fair where individuals will be able to interact with NTPC Heads of Training, Managers, and Senior Training Instructors.

“The Careers Fair sessions are not only open to students, but also open to all employers, employees, and community members from the unemployed and informal sectors, as well as NGOs. This will provide an opportunity for any common man or interested person to discover the courses they can undertake to strengthen their existing career or future job prospects.”

While officiating at the launch of the ICDF 2022, Professor Lisa Harrison described “skills gaps” as a “mismatch” of skill sets between what employers seek and what job seekers or existing employees possess. The mismatch not only makes it difficult for employers to find suitable people for the role, but also for job seekers to find suitable jobs.

“It is more important than ever to understand employer perspectives on workforce development; in essence, hiring, training, and retaining a skilled workforce. To reduce or close the skills gaps, employers need to take the lead in workforce development. They need to radically change how they do business by nurturing their employees’ skills. Predominantly, employers must identify and flag the skills they need, as well as implement ways they can develop and retain employees,” Prof Harrison said.

“Identifying skill gaps and workforce training needs is an important aspect of improving productivity and, as a result, a significant factor in the progress of any functioning economy. If left unaddressed, the growing skills gap threatens the nation’s long-term economic prosperity.”

“A competent human resource team provides a competitive advantage for any successful, excelling organisation. And to sustain competitiveness, a skills gap analysis of the workforce is absolutely crucial. And that’s the aspect that NTPC aims to fulfil by annually conducting a national discussion on skills gaps experienced by the nation as a whole.”

NTPC will also hold a National Apprenticeship Session on March 22 through a virtual session. The session will feature registered and unregistered apprenticeship employers along with the successful apprentices talking about the importance of the National Apprenticeship Scheme.

Students, individuals, and organisations that are interested in being part of the Forum can access more information on the discussion sessions by accessing the link below. https://www.fnu.ac.fj/icdf-2022/