Watesoni Nata Jr, a businessman in Suva and the chairman of the MSME Council under the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), has emphasized the need for educational reform to address the skills shortage in Fiji. During a panel discussion on skills shortages held in Suva last week, Nata pointed out that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are responsible for employing 60 percent of Fiji’s workforce and play a crucial role in the country’s GDP. He expressed concerns that skills mismatches are significantly impacting this sector.
“The MSME sector employs the majority of Fiji’s labor force, approximately 60 percent, as supported by statistics,” Nata stated. He criticized the Ministry of Education for its slow progress on reforms, arguing that it has not effectively tackled the skills gap that affects MSMEs.
Nata noted, “We cannot ignore the skills challenges we face,” referencing issues such as the mismatch in skills, the lack of soft skills, and the need for improvements in the curriculum from primary school through to tertiary education. He mentioned having heard calls for educational reform for over 20 years, dating back to his own high school days.
He advocated for an educational system that aligns better with industry requirements across all levels, as well as for stronger collaboration between educational institutions and MSMEs. Nata also stressed the importance of enhancing training facilities and curricula to prepare students with the practical skills that employers demand.
To address these issues, he suggested starting from the foundational level and ensuring that the education system produces graduates who are not only qualified but also ready for the industry. Additionally, he proposed looking into labor sources from the Pacific region and developing better strategies for integrating returning Fijians to help fill the skills gap and support MSME growth.