In its efforts to ensure that Fiji has productive workforce, the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment will work closely with stakeholders this year.
Government this year has allocated $400,000 towards the National Apprentice Scheme to up skill workers and boost the labour workforce.
The Ministry’s permanent secretary Taito Waqa said two of its core functions is to promote and improve productivity in all workplaces and improve the labour market in terms of setting up policies to meet the demand of labour in Fiji.
“The re-introduction of this scheme will surely boost the economy of the nation in terms of productive employees, more skilled workers and increase the employment opportunities in Fiji,” Mr Waqa said.
“This will solve more emerging issues in terms of employment skills drainage, shortage of skilled workers, productivity in workplaces and boosting the national economy,” Mr Waqa said.
Mr Waqa said with increasing numbers of capital projects witnessed now as investor confidence is boosted with the impending National Elections.
“The generation and sustaining of adequate numbers of skilled and technical workers in Fiji is a very crucial lever to sustain Fiji’s growing economy and alleviate poverty,” he said.
Mr Waqa highlighted how the recent partnership between Government Shipping Services and the Government Printery, will nurture qualified skilled sea-farers and skilled workers in the printing industry. The Ministry has been working with agencies in recruiting young Fijians to work with them in the hope of securing them on a permanent basis.
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