Fiji National University (FNU) management is undertaking an extensive review of the operations of the Technical College of Fiji (TCF) to streamline and strengthen the delivery of its programmes.
The review is focused on areas of learning and teaching resources, student numbers, programme quality, teaching skills & qualifications, and quality of facilities. A major part of the review includes a consultation process with key stakeholders including staff, Government through the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts and industry representatives.
TCF background
The ownership of TCF was transferred to FNU in December 2019 following a restructure at the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts (MEHA). TCF was established in 2015 as an initiative of the Fijian Government to provide affordable lifelong learning opportunities, award certificate II qualifications in various trade sectors, part-time short courses and other certificates of attainment awards.
It offered 13 programmes in engineering, construction, hospitality and agriculture which had a qualification pathway that led to higher level Certificates, Diploma and Degree programmes already on offer at FNU, therefore providing students with a natural progression to higher qualifications. TCF also targeted mature aged students who may not have completed school or those with relevant work experience but with no formal qualification.
Through this initiative, TCF has provided formal training and qualifications to many Fijian youths who have become productive contributors to Fiji’s workforce. Some graduates have set up small businesses as well. It has served its purpose and was a crucial stepping stone towards further TVET education at FNU.
Need for review
For any successful organisation that is intending to acquire an existing entity, a fundamental component of business operation is to undertake an extensive due-diligence process to weigh the benefits and risks before making a final business decision whether to continue as is or remodel to suit the evolving industry needs.
The Fiji National University is in a similar position with TCF and therefore is required to undertake an exercise to understand its inner workings which includes a review of the declining student numbers that point towards a decreasing demand of the programme, learning and teaching facilities, staff qualifications to match global standards for teaching TVET, income and expenditure and so forth.
TVET studies at FNU
FNU is a dual-sector university offering a growing range of qualifications from certificate to doctorate levels to allow graduates from one discipline to develop new expertise and competencies in another.
We are proud to have our foundations deeply rooted in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). FNU has a proven record of providing teaching excellence in TVET studies and has continued to strengthen learning and teaching by undertaking international accreditation of programmes, upgrading of staff qualifications and providing new facilities and equipment.
The university is also focused on developing both the technical skills and competencies as well as ‘soft skills’ like critical thinking and teamwork to enable our graduates to succeed in a fast-changing labour market.
At FNU, we are focused on ensuring that our students are not just highly employable the day after graduation, but who can continue learning during their working lives. Ensuring that our TVET programmes, teachers and facilities can meet this requirement is a priority for us.
Future-focused
FNU offers a pathway for TCF students undertaking Certificate 2 and its alumni to continue their academic journey to higher qualification levels within the same tertiary institution. In recent years, Fijian students have had access to a far more comprehensive range of study options at different levels compared to a generation ago.
This indicates that academic institutions, together with industry partners and government have been working in sync to develop new study programmes, modernise curriculum to ensure that graduates acquire the right training and skill set that’s required in the job market.
FNU has been at the forefront of academic development and raising the bar higher for TVET studies by undertaking a rigorous review of all its programmes as well as working towards international accreditation. The TCF/TVET review is one of the ways that FNU ensures that all our programmes are ready to meet international accreditation.
TCF Reality
TCF was set up as an institution to address the growing numbers of youths who were falling out of the formal education system. It was a visionary decision which served its purpose and provided training, qualification and employment to many Fijian families who would otherwise have been left to a life of unemployment and poverty. The TCF structure however has not been reviewed over time and there is much value to be gained from elevating this initiative by benchmarking it against best practices from around the world. It is evident from the decline in student enrolments and dissatisfaction amongst staff that a comprehensive review and alignment of TCF is needed to ensure it fits perfectly within the existing FNU structure. The study programmes offered by TCF needs a thorough review and upgrade so it is on-par with those that are being offered at FNU.
Furthermore, to ensure students receive proper guidance and training, it is imperative the teaching faculty meet the minimum academic qualification requirement as per the University’s Human Resource Recruitment Policy. Well qualified trainers are crucial to provide Fiji and the region with highly skilled and competent TVET Training graduates that meet the current and future demands of the workforce.
FNU envisages producing highly trained and qualified graduates that are work-ready.
Promoting TVET studies
TVET studies have without a doubt been seen as the poor cousin to Higher Education (HE). While some, especially in the academic circles may still hold this opinion strongly, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world that indeed we cannot solely rely on ‘white-collar’ professionals. Those in the ‘blue-collar’ sector are equally if not greatly required to keep day to day life operations as close to normal as possible.
Fiji is an upper-middle-income country and we have seen that construction and service sectors are leading the charge. There is a demand for skilled carpenters, plumbers and electricians – all TVET graduates.
The Fijian government through its scholarship and student initiatives has opened the door for students and school leavers to undertake TVET studies and either join the workforce or become entrepreneurs through small business start-ups.
As economies develop, there will be a growing need for both TVET and higher education graduates.
TVET importance
From a global perspective, TVET engages youths and adults, empowering them to continue with paid employment and also venture into entrepreneurship.
TVET provides graduates with an opportunity to acquire employable and life long skill sets. In Fiji, this can play a critical role in filling the employment gaps which has the potential to have a multiplier impact in encouraging sustainable economic growth, reducing inequality, particularly for the most vulnerable youth.
Similarly, from an economic point of view, modernised, responsive and inclusive TVET programmes further contribute to developing a knowledge-based society, which is a catalyst to increasing productivity and providing a competitive edge in an increasingly demanding global economy and also ensuring Fiji’s prosperity.
FNU’s commitment
TVET studies will remain in the university’s DNA as we leap into our next decade. The challenge for FNU is to ensure that our study programmes are robust and forward-looking to meet the demands of the current and future workforce.
As Fiji’s national university, we have a responsibility to the Fijian government and taxpayers to ensure that students have the opportunity to study in a proper environment, undertake study courses that are of high standards and taught by trainers who do not only have the right academic qualification but also teacher training competencies and technical experience.
Government’s vision is to ensure FNU becomes a world-class university. Government’s support to FNU has been unwavering and we look forward to delivering on Government’s vision as well to the aspiration of our most important clients – students.
We must not short-change either of these stakeholders as providing the best learning and teaching environment will ensure that our nations greatest assets for the future are carefully nurtured and developed for a stronger, productive, and prosperous tomorrow as Fiji deserves nothing, but the best!
Dr William May
Acting Vice-Chancellor
Fiji National University