Fiji is currently facing a burgeoning skills shortage that is raising alarms among investors in key industries. Kamal Chetty, CEO of Investment Fiji, highlights that the challenges related to labor availability and productivity present serious obstacles. However, he believes that companies can take proactive measures to help mitigate these issues.
Chetty stressed that the challenges go beyond just staffing numbers, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that the workforce has the appropriate skills to support sustainable growth. “It’s definitely a challenge for investors; availability of labor and productivity are major issues. However, these investors can also play an important role in addressing this challenge,” he remarked.
To address this skills gap, a closer collaboration between universities and the private sector is essential. Chetty suggested that working with educational institutions to equip graduates with market-relevant skills is one possible solution, urging universities to align their curriculum with the demands of investors.
This skills shortage is particularly evident in critical sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. Jitesh Patel, President of the Suva Retailers Association, articulated the situation by saying, “There are people available, but many of them are reluctant to take on the work. We encourage the government to promote local participation rather than depending on overseas labor.”
Investment Fiji stressed that timely action to resolve the skills shortage is vital for maintaining the country’s competitiveness and resilience. The organization asserts that nurturing a consistent flow of skilled workers is key to attracting and retaining investors.
Fiji’s current predicament represents both challenges and opportunities. By fostering collaborations between educational institutions and businesses, there is a promising avenue toward empowering the local workforce with essential skills. This strategy not only stands to benefit individual industries but also holds the potential to invigorate the broader economy and pave the way for a brighter future.