Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Jone Usamate yesterday said that unemployment has dropped from 7.1 per cent to 4.5 per cent the last eight years.

Mr Usamate made the comment during the Technical College Fiji (Central) graduation ceremony at the FMF Gymnasium.

There has been more employment generated the past eight years that back then unemployment rate was 7.1 per cent.

“In 2015 there was a 5.5 per cent unemployment rate and this year it has dropped to 4.5 per cent,” Mr Usamate said.

“This indicates that there are many investors coming into the country, bringing in more jobs”, he said.

“More investments mean more skilled jobs.

“Technical colleges are raising the standards of our tradesmen and women.

“Employers are now looking for workers and the good news is that with your Level 2 certificate you have a higher chance of finding employment.

“Technical and vocational skills are needed in our country. Your certificate is a pre-requisite in getting into tertiary institutions for Levels 3 and 4.”

More than 400 students graduated with the National Certificate Level 2 in the four main streams of engineering, hospitality, agriculture and construction at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva.

This was the second set of graduates in two days. On Wednesday 856 students graduated from the five campuses of TCF West.

Graduates were challenged to continually upgrade their skills and knowledge.

He told the graduates that the certificates they have attained assured that they will have a better quality of life.

“Things will change, soon what we have now will be outdated,” Mr Usamate said.

“You must continue to grow, you must continue to learn,” he said.

“Meanwhile Fiji needs the skills you now have. Fiji needs the best trades people, technicians and professionals.”

There are four campuses in the TCF Central:  Nabua Sanatan, Suva Hospitality & Textiles Training, Anjuman Hidayat-ul-Islam in Nausori and the C. P. Singh in Navua.

Mr Usamate told the graduates that they must have the determination to succeed.

“You must walk the hard yards, listen to your teachers, parents and adults, work hard and persevere,” he said.

“Success is 90 per cent hard work. Family support is important.

“Government has its unprecedented dedication to education, there is TELS, Toppers, free education, free bus fare and of course free weet-bix and milk”.

Mr Usamate also emphasised on green technology where graduating students need to move themselves into that direction.

Science technology, engineering and maths are what Fiji need, Mr Usumate reminded the graduates.

“While you continue your journey, look for other alternates to grow, contribute to the productivity of our nation.

“Productivity is getting the most from what you have and those are your skills.

“With your skills you can bake cakes, fix cars, and make furniture – you can find employment and also create employment.”