424 graduate with national certificates

Within two weeks, 424 skilled young Fijians will be graduating from Pacific Polytech in Fiji.

Last week, 132 students in Labasa and 181 students in Nausori graduated with national certificate level three programmes in critical trade areas.

These include automotive mechanical engineering, automotive electrical and electronics, plumbing and sheetmetal, electrical fitter mechanics and carpentry.

Tomorrow in Tavua there will be another lot of 111 students graduating.

Pacific Polytech director Peni Taoi said that’s a total of 424 skilled young Fijians completing trade qualifications in key sectors would be ready to contribute meaningfully to Fiji’s communities, economy and workforce.

“Since its founding in 2021, Pacific Polytech has grown from a humble initiative during the COVID-19 lockdown in Tavua was established in response to the closure of the Technical College of Fiji into one of the country’s leading technical institutions,” Mr Taoi said.

The institution operates 13 campuses and training centres nationwide with more than 3100 students enrolled and 3400 graduates from micro-qualification and certificate three programmes since 2023.

“Every graduate is a powerful reminder that when opportunity is paired with determination it can unlock futures thought impossible,” he said.

“This isn’t just a milestone, it’s a movement.”

No matter what the background is, skills-based education can open doors, rebuild confidence and redefine what’s possible.

He said graduates stood as living proof that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) was not a fallback option, but a way forward.

Thus, an essential route to opportunity, inclusion and national progress.

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