Pacific Polytech’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Studies Centre in Sigatoka is set to bridge classroom learning with the real-world needs of Fiji’s thriving tourism sector. Speaking at the official opening last Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka underscored the centre’s focus on applied learning, saying it reflects government and partner support to equip students with industry-ready skills.
The centre features a fully operational training restaurant, a model hotel, and an event centre, with a dedicated beauty and spa training facility planned for the near future. Such facilities are designed to immerse students in actual industry settings, enabling them to develop competencies aligned with professional standards that underpin Fiji’s reputation as a world-class destination, Gavoka noted. He also spoke of his pride in seeing the centre established in Sigatoka, affectionately known as Rugby Town, where the country’s reputation for producing top talent extends beyond sport to master-class chefs, event managers, and hotel managers.
This development is part of a broader wave of growth at Pacific Polytech, which has become a pivotal player in Fiji’s technical and vocational education landscape. The institution is expanding with new training hubs planned for Lami, Sigatoka, and Nadi, reinforcing government efforts to scale practical, industry-aligned education. Since its inception, Pacific Polytech has grown to 13 campuses and training centers, serving thousands of students and graduates who are contributing to the economy across multiple sectors. The hands-on approach remains a cornerstone, with a significant portion of learning time devoted to practical training, and graduates continuing to fill critical roles in the workforce.
Government leadership has framed TVET as a strategic tool for employment, entrepreneurship, and community development. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has repeatedly emphasized the transformative potential of vocational education, with Pacific Polytech at the forefront of reshaping perceptions about TVET and its role in national development. The organization’s momentum aligns with broader tourism workforce initiatives, including the Tour Guide Training Program, which seeks to elevate service standards and certify practitioners across the sector, reinforcing Fiji’s aim to sustain high visitor satisfaction and economic resilience.
Beyond immediate facilities, Pacific Polytech’s ongoing achievements—over two thousand graduates since late 2023, a growing network of campuses, and expanding training offerings in maritime and other fields—signal a hopeful trajectory for Fiji’s youth. The centre in Sigatoka not only strengthens local access to quality education but also supports the region’s tourism ecosystem by producing a pipeline of highly skilled professionals ready to deliver exceptional experiences to visitors from around the world.
What this means for students and communities
– Local students gain direct access to industry-standard training environments, increasing their employability in hotels, restaurants, event management, and spa services.
– The Sigatoka site complements national tourism goals by creating skilled professionals who can contribute to world-class guest experiences and sustainable visitor growth.
– The broader expansion into Lami, Sigatoka, and Nadi reflects a coordinated effort to decentralize opportunities and empower coastal and maritime communities.
In the longer term, the centre’s opening reinforces Fiji’s commitment to a robust, hands-on education system that meets market demand, supports economic diversification, and helps young people build meaningful careers in tourism and related industries. The move also provides a positive signal to investors and industry partners about Fiji’s readiness to sustain a competitive, resilient tourism sector through skilled, locally trained professionals.
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