Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation chief executive officer Kameli Batiweti said there’s an abundance of employment opportunities in Fiji not only in the tourism sector but also in the manufacturing and business process outsourcing.

He was commenting on the skilled training courses conducted by ServicePro for the rural communities.

On Friday, more than 20 women of Muanaira Village in Tailevu graduated with ServicePro certificates specialising in restaurants and housekeeping.

Mr Batiweti said with employment opportunities also arising from abroad, there was a need to ensure educational training and development was happening so that the people who were leaving Fiji were equipped with certain skills.

“What ServicePro is doing is part of that aspect providing training for young people who care and be able to step into the roles that are now being left vacant, skilled workers who are transitioning to the Pacific

Island countries and so if anyone said that unemployment is high in Fiji, I don’t believe them,” Mr Batiweti said.

“There are lots of employment opportunities not only by some in the tourism industry, not only in the tourism industry, but also in the manufacturing industry, vacancies in abundance.

There is also vacancy in abundance in the business process, as Outsourcing is the fastest growing industry right now in Fiji,”he said.

Roko Tui

Roko Tui Tailevu Timoci Valesu said Muanaira is the first in Tailevu to utilise the community training provided by ServicePro.

Mr Valesu said it was a great opportunity for young people to get certificates as many were also preparing to be recruited for the Pacific Labour Scheme.

Village headman of Muanaira, Letia Leiloma was grateful for the opportunity provided to the women.

Mr Leiloma said the participants were extremely happy as they only had to pay a fee of $100 for the one week training and receive two certificates.

ServicePro

ServicePro consultant Joe Qalova said according to their studies only 40 per cent of those that work in the hotel and tourism industry had qualification, while the 60 per cent worked from experiences gained over the years.

Mr Qalova told the graduates to showcase their talents and skills that they have learned to equip them for better employment opportunities.

Graduate

Graduate, Tarere Ateleni Domoni, 26, said she was more confident now in looking for a job after getting her certificate.

This is the tenth community that ServicePro has conducted their community in-house training in.

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