Fiji’s apprenticeship program is facing critical challenges that highlight the urgent need for reform. Hasmukh Lal, the Founder and Group CEO of Oceania Education and Technology Solutions, has raised concerns over the program’s diminishing effectiveness in producing a skilled and productive workforce, a stark contrast to its success during the 1980s and 1990s.
Lal marks 2009 and 2010 as pivotal years, when the interim government decided to merge the Tertiary and Productivity Education Programme with Fiji National University (FNU). He argues that while the consolidation of training components might not have posed immediate problems, the assignment of regulatory and administrative authority to FNU over the 1 percent levy has created significant barriers. “The regulatory and administration of that 1% levy, which got merged into FNU, makes FNU the judge, jury, and executor,” Lal commented. This consolidation has stymied developments in productivity and skills training, leading to a steep decline in industry investments aimed at workforce development.
Currently, only 10% of the 1 percent levy is allocated for actual training, with the majority diverted towards medical and accident compensation. According to Lal, this misallocation undermines the very intent of the levy and discourages industries from investing in productivity enhancements and talent development.
In light of these issues, Lal urges the coalition government to take decisive action by disentangling the administration of the 1 percent levy from training providers and reassessing how the funds are distributed. He advocates for the revival of a fast-track apprenticeship scheme that once effectively nurtured skilled workers, a move that could significantly address Fiji’s current skills shortages.
By implementing these necessary changes, there is a hopeful prospect for revitalizing Fiji’s workforce, which could, in turn, stimulate economic growth and create enhanced opportunities for citizens throughout the nation.