Eight women from Sanasana Village, Nadroga, who had lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully completed two short course training from Fiji National University’s National Training & Productivity Centre (NTPC) to win back their jobs.

NTPC Director Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata congratulated the successful students at a mini graduation ceremony held at the village last Friday and acknowledged their perseverance and enthusiasm to reskill for better employment opportunities.

“While some were fortunate to work from home during the pandemic this year, some were unfortunate to experience the drastic blow of COVID-19 which resulted in lay-offs,” Dr Tagicakiverata said.

“I applaud these determined young women for their positive mindset towards upskilling and harnessing their skills through our short courses. Continuous upgrade of workforce skills can maximise their potential in their current positions or in new tasks where the business needs support, and I encourage employers and the workforce to invest in these short training to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency at the workplace.”

Of the eight, four women successfully completed the program Certificate of Attainment in Restaurant Operations, and the other four Certificate of Attainment in Front Office & Customer Relations.

The participants were made redundant by Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa due to COVID-19, and have been re-employed upon completion of the upskilling program. The four-month training delivered by NTPC was an initiative by the resort and the landowners who are also shareholders of the resort. The training programs were funded by Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa.

Ilisapeci Maramasoqo, 19, who was made redundant in March this year, shared her happiness that the pandemic had turned out positive for her and her seven friends.

“I am grateful for this opportunity and to my employer for letting us take up this re-skilling program and for re-employing us,” Daubulu said. She is back at her role as a front desk staff on a part-time basis, but this time with the skills sets required after attaining Certificate of Attainment in Front Office & Customer Relations from NTPC.

“I feared about my future whether I will find employment in the near future, and my faith in God has made things possible. With this new sets of knowledge and skills gained, we are definitely well equipped and are industry-ready for when tourism starts normal operations again.”