1500 Fijian tourism employees are expected to benefit from training that will be provided through the COVID-19 Socio – Economic Response Project.

This project will help tourism workers who have lost their jobs develop new skills for other jobs or starting a business.

They will be among 3000 plus Pacific tourism employees from seven Pacific Island Countries.

This was made possible through the project that is fully funded by the Government of Japan.

Japanese Ambassador to Fiji Masahiro Omura said: “This programme will help trainees acquire new skillset, motivating them to find new jobs, start new ventures in order to support their livelihoods.”

Hospitality sector

He said through the programme, key partners in the hospitality sector will provide online training to both, tourism industry workers and business owners adversely affected by the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19.

The seven countries include Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Nauru and Tonga.

The training will be delivered online by the Australia Pacific Training Coalition.

The project partnered with the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Capital Development Fund, Pacific Tourism Organisation, Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association and Australian Aid.

Benefits

Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport Faiyaz Koya said the training will provide the tourism employees an opportunity to learn new skills and enhance productivity.

He said it may also encourage these employees to start their own business.

“Online education is likely to become permanent as more services like learning opportunities move online.

“Digital literacy skills and communication technologies for business success.

“These aren’t skills you’ll need just for today or tomorrow – they are lifelong skills,” he said.

Vodafone Fiji and Digicel Fiji will establish concessional data/internet packages for participants enrolled in the training.

Feedback: laiseana.nasiga@fijisun.com.fj