The Australian Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) is providing valuable education to youth in Fiji, enabling them to enhance their job prospects and improve their living standards in everyday life. This week, a graduation ceremony was held, during which 317 students, including 181 women and 137 men, received their certificates in Nasinu.
One of the graduates, Jokapeci Mocelutu, emphasized the program’s significance, asserting that “this training is excellent, and it has no cost to us, enabling us to gain employment.” The APTC aims to prepare students for work in various sectors, offering scholarships that are easily accessible to the local population.
Jokapeci, a 26-year-old from Suvavou, Rewa, is currently pursuing a career in aged care and is eager to find a job in that field. She noted the challenges of finding employment and the rising cost of living as factors that necessitate her education. With a young child and only 12 weeks of training, she is determined to continue her education and hopes for additional opportunities in the future.
Another graduate, Sainimere Lewetini, expressed her enthusiasm for completing her Certificate II in Hospitality, stating that the training has opened doors for her. At 26 years old and from Naweretu, Nakorotubu in Ra, she highlighted the program’s practical aspects and its impact on her skills for future employment.
She completed her training over a span of 12 weeks, with three weeks dedicated to practical training in hotels within the country. Sainimere is thankful to her mentors and views this educational opportunity as a stepping stone towards a successful career in the hospitality industry. She encouraged her peers to take advantage of similar programs, emphasizing that they come at no cost and can significantly improve their quality of life.
Sainimere also reminded her fellow graduates to utilize their skills wisely and to pursue opportunities that can enhance their well-being, especially in facing the current economic challenges.