It was a joyous occasion for 46 students of the National Training and Productivity Centre’s (NPTC) Hospitality and Tourism training programmes who had successfully completed their course.
The students are from five villages from the Vanua O Nalolo from Nadroga – Lomawai, Kubuna, Nakorokula, Tau and Bavu.
They graduated on Thursday at the Lomawai Village Community Hall. The graduation also strengthened the ongoing partnership between NTPC and the Vanua O Nalolo.
This partnership followed the consultations between NTPC, the Vanua O Nalolo and the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF.
NTPC director Kamlesh Prakash commended the graduates on the completion of their studies.
“This is excellent news for the nation. Congratulations to all the staff for ensuring that this training was carried out well and also congratulations to you students for having to cope with the studies under the three different programmes,” Mr Prakash said.
“You have done yourselves and your parents proud by being able to accomplish such an achievement. I commend the excellent initiative shown by FNPF for providing funding for the training as well as the landowning units to foresee their children’s future.”
Meanwhile, FNPF chief investment officer Jaoji Koroi said: “We had met and discussed with the Vanua O Nalolo to put together a programme to upskill the landowners to give something back to the community.
“So now graduates when the Marriot Hotel is completed and opens, you all would be able to put your skills and knowledge in the areas they have received training to good use.
“Having completed this programme, we hope you will secure employment and then become a member of FNPF and also assist your families through your FNPF,” he said.