Dean of College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies – Professor Arun Elias,
The Executive Director of Outsource Fiji, Ms Sagufta Janif,
Invited Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all.
It is a great pleasure to be here today surrounded by great minds and champions of our BPO industry, who have collaborated and drawn together the “Certificate in Contact Centre Operations – Level 3” course, which I am delighted to launch.
Today’s launch means a lot to the industry as it reinforces a pool of trained individuals with the right skill sets, qualifications and passion – ready for the workforce, in particular the BPO industry.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Fiji Government strives to rebuild our nation through promoting economic diversification and economic growth in Fiji – positioning Fiji as the “outsourcing hub in the Pacific region”. And today, marks just that.
Just last week, I officially opened Outsource Fiji’s new office where I reaffirmed the Fiji Government’s strong support towards the industry, in particular talent retention. Our continuous support in investing in the outsourcing sector is a clear indication of its importance and remains a priority sector – and the allocation of $2.5 million for the Outsourcing Sector attests to this.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Investing in our people, means investing in a “New Fiji”. Our people are our greatest assets and integral in steering Fiji in the right direction and a space where we need to be.
As announced in the 2023/2024 National Budget, to the relief of many young Fijians, the Tertiary Education and Loan Scheme debts of $650 million is intended to be waived. This means that our young people and their families will no longer need to think of the burden of their loan obligations whilst seeking out employment opportunities – which the People’s Coalition aims to pass in the Parliament sitting next week.
This is a Government that cares for young Fijians – young Fijians who will build a “smart Fiji” and make smart decisions.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Contact Centres in particular, have experienced tremendous growth in recent years. They have been true stalwarts during the pandemic – immediately responding to emergency calls in a timely manner, proving to be a robust and sustainable industry, and one which provides numerous job opportunities to our people.
However, to fully harness the potential of this sector, we must ensure that we have a highly skilled and job-ready workforce.
There could be opportunities to take on some Government jobs if we are able to find a correct commercial model to support this idea.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This certification programme has been carefully designed by the industry to equip our local workforce with the necessary skills and knowledge required to excel in this field. It covers a wide range of essential competencies, including effective communication, customer service, problem-solving, and technical proficiency.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A job-ready workforce will attract more investors, foster innovation, and promote sustainable economic growth. It demonstrates our commitment to lifelong learning and continuous professional development. It highlights the importance of upskilling and reskilling in a rapidly evolving job market.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
By providing opportunities for individuals to enhance their capabilities, we empower them to adapt to changing industry trends, seize new opportunities, and achieve their full potential. The current global market size of the BPO industry is over USD $260 billion this year. If Fiji grabs at least 5 percent, it would be USD $13 billion which is around FJD $29 billion – which could support the inflationary pressures that we are facing.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The BPO industry has always been special to me, and seeing the industry grow over the years, reassures me that we have the right set of ideas and strategies in place to make this industry progress and stamp its mark.
In closing, I thank you all once again for contributing to the formulation of the “Certificate Contact Center Operations – Level 3” course which will serve as a formal “customer service training” in Fiji for those eager to join the league of others in the BPO industry and call center providers in Fiji. Let us continue to work together in building a job-ready workforce that will shape our future and contribute to the economic prosperity of our great nation.
Vinaka Vakalevu and Thank you.