Twenty-four youths from rural and maritime areas around the country have been selected to work under the Seasonal Employer Scheme in New Zealand.
This latest development is the result of partnerships between the Ministry of Employment, the National Employment Centre (NEC) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. To qualify for selections, the applicants had to undergo a training program as well as a separate pre-departure training. Following selection, the 24 youths will now work under the New Zealand Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme. They will depart Fiji on Monday 14th March to work for six months at Bay of Plenty in the Northern Island of New Zealand.
The Minister for Youths and Sports, Hon Laisenia Tuitubou officiated at the presentation of the certificates and highlighted that his ministry fully supports the program as it directly provides an income for young Fijians.
“You are the first batch of youths to work under the Scheme through the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations in partnership with Ministry of Youths and Sports. Some of you have lost your home in TC Winston and I hope that this employment will support your family to rebuild what was lost,” Tuitubou said.
The Minister urged the youth to maintain professionalism and complete the program successfully so that more youths can be selected in the future.