The Higher Education Commission Fiji (HECF) will offer 1800 grants for competency-based training (micro qualifications) to assist with ‘quick fix labour solution’ in construction, tourism and hospitality and automotive sectors.

The grant programme targets immediate labour shortage in these sectors.

This will be a minimum of one month of training grant of $500 per student targeting unemployed youths and adults around the ages of 18 to 30.

These developments were relayed by HECF chairperson, Steve Chand, during his visit to Labasa, with the chief executive officer Rohit Kishore.

The HECF has completed consultation in the Western, Central and Eastern divisions. This week they were in the North.

Many of the applicants were women. Photo: Shratika Naidu

“We are indeed grateful to the Fiji Police Force for partnering with us in this journey,” Mr Chand said.

“Through the combined effort of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Minister for Education and Higher Education office we are looking at wholesome package where everyone comes on board to assist the pathway to employment.”

As early as October, the commission will roll out programmes at various vocational training centers.

Meanwhile, Dr Kishore is encouraging unemployed youth in Fiji, who have not completed their education for whatever reasons, to make use of this opportunity.

“We are not only assisting youths to be educated and trained but also provide them a transfer to job market where there is huge shortage due to migration of skilled workers from Fiji to Australia and New Zealand in particular,” Dr Kishore said.

Moreover, he said this new initiative would address the rural to urban drift. They were happy to observe that many applicants were from the interior.

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Story by: Shratika Naidu – shratikan@fijisun.com.fj