Fiji National University’s (FNU), National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) Director, Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata (right) with NPO Coordinator, Kasturi Devi and Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations Permanent Secretary, Osea Naitura Cawaru.
Fiji is grateful and proud for being a member of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) and has continued to reap the benefits of knowledge, skills transfer and best practices over the years. This was highlighted by the Fiji National University’s (FNU), National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) Director, Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata.
Dr Tagicakiverata recently attended the APO’s 63rd Workshop Meeting of Heads of NPO’s in Bangkok, Thailand in his capacity as Head of the National Productivity Organisation (NPO) for Fiji and the APO Alternate Director for Fiji.
He was accompanied by NPO Coordinator, Kasturi Devi and Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Permanent Secretary, Osea Naitura Cawaru. Cawaru is also the APO Director for Fiji.
The meeting was also attended by delegates and representatives from other APO member countries. The APO is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1961 to increase productivity in the Asia-Pacific region through mutual cooperation.
“APO has had a strong role in capacity building of NPO Fiji. NPO Fiji has an enabling, facilitative role and functions as a conduit for productivity promotion in Fiji. The Fijian Government – through its Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations – has continued to support NTPC through NPO to facilitate APO initiatives” Dr Tagicakiverata said.
“The NTPC, through its departments, ensures that major deliverables are undertaken with the support from the industry and public sector.”
“One of the most prominent programmes is the Fiji Business Excellence Awards (FBEA) and other productivity-related programmes such as the National Convention on Quality to promote business excellence practices and benchmark local organisations against international standards.”
NTPC, being the National Productivity Organisation for the country, also provides training, trade testing, National Apprenticeship Scheme and consultancy services.
The Centre is also committed to empowering sustainable livelihood in rural and maritime communities through the Government-funded Sustainable Livelihood Project (SLP), whereby NTPC conducts skill based technical and vocational training programmes in rural and maritime communities.
Dr Tagicakiverata said NTPC strives to remain innovative in training deliveries and in its efforts to improve overall workforce productivity and efficiency in Fiji.