Honourable Agni Deo Singh with the Fiji National University (FNU) staff and FNU Council.

The National TVET Forum organised by the Fiji National University’s (FNU), TVET Pasifika was held at the Nasinu Campus today and featured over 150 participants from the various industries and TVET stakeholders.

Chief Guest and Minister of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Honourable Agni Deo Singh highlighted that the Government supported the University’s initiative to discuss issues related to TVET.

“I, on behalf of the Government can fully assure you that we fully support the Fiji National University and all the other partners for the progression of TVET. We are there with you and we are very grateful that you have taken this initiative,” he said.

Honourable Agni Deo Singh said issues concerning skills gaps, industry productivity and TVET are issues of importance to our developing nation.

Minister of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Honourable Agni Deo Singh.

“We are all aware of the cries, the issue of skills gap is chronic. We are desperately gravitating towards that quality, skilled workforce that now is missing because of the loss, through migration, and the lack of interest towards TVET,” Honourable Singh said.

“Little do we realise that the skills we are able to deliver through TVET make us employable for life and there are high quality jobs that are now offered to those who have these skills.”

“I am grateful that the Fiji National University’s TVET Pasifika has invited me to be a part of this conversation, which is a national event for us. You (participants) have turned up here in numbers from various sectors to be a part of the national forum, and this is a clear indication of your passion, sincerity, and your interest to see TVET education flourish in our country.”

FNU Deputy Chancellor, Semesa Karavaki commended the University for hosting the National TVET Forum that brought together representatives who provided first-hand issues, experiences, and recommendations from their various sector perspectives.

“The national education agenda requires quality education delivery to all Fijians. This is essential as it will allow us to create a skilled workforce through trade, reskilling and upskilling programmes,” he said.

FNU Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba added that TVET Pasifika enabled students, employers, and development partners across the Pacific to select TVET programmes that met their specific needs.

“TVET Pasifika embodies FNU’s core commitment to education for employability and an excellent student experience,” she highlighted.

“National universities all over the world have a tradition, we focus very closely on what the nation tells us in its own development plans, its own other plans. The Fiji National University is no different in training and educating you. We are focusing on being a workforce not only for the present, but for the future.”

Pro-Vice-Chancellor TVET, Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata also highlighted the University’s role as the largest tertiary provider for TVET training in Fiji.

“As the national university, we have an obligation to respond to issues of concern regarding TVET,” he said.

Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) Director, Dr Rohit Kishore said the Forum was a positive initiative that allowed collaboration between institutions and industries to enhance TVET facilitation in Fiji.

Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) Director, Dr Rohit Kishore.

Dr Kishore was among the many participants of the TVET Pasifika’s National TVET Forum.

“I think this forum is a good initiative. Forums like this should happen more often where the institutions come together in consultation with the industry,” he said.

“TVET education and skills education are different from higher education, and there needs to be a lot of input from the industry because it is hands-on learning.”