MINISTER KUMAR'S ADDRESS AT THE OPENING OF THE NATIONAL JOB FAIR

Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Permanent Secretaries from various Government Ministries and Senior Government officials;
Representatives from the various training institutions and from our corporate stakeholders 
Our Joint Organizers - The Fiji Higher Education Commission; 
Our Event Partners:
• The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation
• Fiji Broadcasting Corporation
• The Fiji Sun
• Telecom Fiji Limited 
• and the ILO Office for the Pacific;
Representatives from the media 

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my pleasure to be here today, to officiate at Fiji’s “first-ever” National Job Fair. 

It is a pleasure to welcome our stakeholders. And it is good as always to see so many familiar faces with us. Especially those who have a healthy vested interest in a productive work and employment environment in Fiji. 

Ladies and gentlemen, the National Employment Policy (NEP) 2018, in its Policy Priority No. 1 highlights the need to “Create more opportunities for young people aged 15 to 24 years to follow clear pathways from education to productive employment”. 

This is in line with governments five (5) and twenty (20) year National Development Plan on Inclusive Socio-economic Development, to reduce the unemployment rate to below 4% by 2021. 

Our unemployment rate is currently sitting at 4.5%. According to the 2017 Population and Housing Census. 

Given the target ahead of us, it makes us confident of meeting or exceeding our stated targets. 

As a means of meeting our stated targets, I am hopeful that events such as the job fair can make a positive impact on the numbers securing employment. 

The National Employment Policy proposes the implementation of new job creation initiatives such as the Job Fair, to contribute positively towards reducing the unemployment rate to below 4%. 

Ladies and gentlemen, on this note, I would like to acknowledge the support of the former Director for the Fiji Higher Education Commission, Ms Linda Aumua, for initiating the idea to host such an event and offering to collaborate with the National Employment Centre in bringing all stakeholders together under one roof. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, I warmly welcome all our exhibitors to this two (2) days event. I thank them for accepting the invitation to be part of this historic occasion. 

We are all aware that the private sector is the engine room for economic growth. The Fiji First Government believes that a strong, robust and resilient economy is through collaboration between all stakeholders.

With the participation of thirteen (13) government Ministries, over twenty (20) private sector organizations, the media and nine (9) higher education institutions, our graduates and job seekers will certainly benefit from what is on offer at this Job Fair. 

Visitors to this 2-day event will be empowered with new knowledge and skill sets that would enable them to be easily absorbed into the workforce. 

Having the opportunity to interact directly with potential employers is an opportunity not to be missed. This Job Fair is a platform that will provide – 

 A unique opportunity for engagement.
 An opportunity for networking.
 An opportunity for building potential partnerships between employers and those seeking employment or information to enhance their careers. 

It will also offer opportunities for skills development, turning job seekers into job creators as available through some of the training sessions during these two (2) days. 

Such engagements will spearhead the smooth transition of school leavers and graduates from higher education into the world of work.

Into the aspiration of the Fijian government into a world of decent jobs and employment growth. 

It is important to realize that securing employment is a two-way process. 

Job seekers on one hand will need to make themselves attractive for employers. 

While on the other hand, employers will be ensuring that they will attract the best graduates or candidates with optimum working conditions.

Ladies and gentlemen, our Government is committed to employment for all. 

The participation of the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities is also a testament of government’s commitment on inclusiveness. 

I urge all employers present here today, to consider equal employment opportunities within their organizations.

Ensuring inclusiveness for disadvantaged sectors, particularly in relation to ensuring equality of opportunity in the workplace. 

Particularly for women. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, one of the many challenges faced by employers is in finding graduates or workers with the right skill sets. 

It is through such collaboration that government is hoping to bridge these gaps. 

This is where the higher training institutions play a vital role in ensuring that close consultation is held with employers to ensure that courses offered are in line with the needs of the industries. 

We are aware of issues relating to the labour market supply-side on the relevance of curriculum and modes of teaching to the needs of current employers in Fiji.

Only too often, we hear from employers, the complaint that our graduates or trainees do not fit the bill. 

• That they do not fit in with their demands. 
• That they are poorly trained.
• That their skill sets do not meet employment needs. 

I am sure that some of these complaints and concerns are genuine. And we should air such concerns if we are to make Fiji a more productive and energised economy. 

Stakeholders need to take on board such complaints, and work on both supply and demands sides, to overcome such issues. 

Simply complaining. Or simply ignoring such complaints, do not lead us anywhere. 

On the demand-side of the labour market, I urge employers to work in partnership with government to provide more work attachments for our unemployed citizens to gain the necessary work experiences required.

The current review of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, spearheaded by the Fiji Higher Education Commission is timely and my Ministry is supportive of these efforts.

The recent signing of the Pacific Labour Scheme between Fiji and Australia for semi-skilled workers will provide more opportunities for Fijians to work in Australia for up to three (3) years. 

While this will be an opportunity for some, my Ministry and I are mindful that it will also place a challenge to our local market demands.

In the short term, such a situation also provides us an opportunity to revamp and amp up our training in filling these skill demands. 

I urge all stakeholders to continue with these close partnerships of training and building the capacity of our young working population. 

In ensuring the sustainability of this event, my Ministry will continue to work in close collaboration with the Fiji Higher Education Commission, the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, the ILO Office for the Pacific and all our other partners present here today to ensure that this event grows bigger and better in years to come. 

May I, at this point, acknowledge the continued support of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF) and its members, the ILO Office for the Pacific, Government Ministries and higher education institutions for coming forward to support this initiative. 

To all the participants, especially our most valued clients, the potential employees – the young and the not so young – who are coming to the Job Fair 2018; I wish you a fruitful visit. 

I thank all the organiser, without whose logistical support, the Job Fair would not be possible. 

I thank your all for braving the conditions today to be here with us and value your patience and attention in listening to me this morning. 

Once again, thank you all for the tremendous support and it is with pleasure that I declare the National Job Fair open.

Thank You & Vinaka Vakalevu.