Graduates at the Nasau Youth Training Centre in Nasau on Thursday were told to realise their dreams by working hard and being determined.
Officiating at the graduation ceremony for 46 youths Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Hon. Alipate Nagata told the youths that their dreams will only materialize through hard work and sheer determination to be successful in life.
“As you prepare to progress to the next stage in your lives, I encourage you to reflect upon your experiences and consider how best you can utilize this valuable training in the near future,” he said. “You are now in the perfect position to give back and serve as leaders in your communities. You have the knowledge, you have the confidence and you are the future.”
Hon Nagata further said that the Ministry of Youth & Sports has completed its modernization and a part of it has been the re-packaging of the empowerment programs to address real youth issues and assist with rational solutions.
“In view of the above, we as the Ministry for all Youths have added value to what you currently possess in terms of up-skilling, re-skilling or empowering you to become better at what you do and certifying your competencies,” he added.
“The two training programmes you have been part of for the last 10 months are fully accredited by the Fiji Higher Education Commission and the Fiji Qualification Framework and your certificates will ensure that pathways are available to you when you enter the workforce,” Hon Nagata told graduates.
Located in the Lower Sigatoka Valley the Nasau Youth Training Centres caters for youth interested in agriculture and carpentry. This year saw 25 youths graduating under the agriculture certificate 4 programme and 21 under the carpentry Certificate 3 programme.
Nasau YTC trainer Apenai Vatucicila said that such programmes carried out at Nasau has benefitted many youths and many have moved on to play supervisory roles at their place of employment.
“Do not sleep on your certificates and knowledge you gained here but rather work hard as there is a criteria in place that will ensure your progress under your trade which is under the Fiji Qualification Framework” Mr Vatucicila told graduates. “The onus is on you and you must work hard to achieve greater things in life and make your parents proud.”
5 youth with special needs were also part of this year’s programme.