ATS to Build Global Training Centre in Nadi to Upskill Pacific Island Workforce
Air Terminal Services has announced plans to establish a dedicated training centre, with construction slated to begin in the first quarter of next year. The centre is to be located within the premises of a proposed new catering facility, signaling ATS’s commitment to expanding skills development alongside its core operations.
ATS chief executive Alan Suchin said the facility would not be limited to ATS employees. The company intends to partner with local vocational training institutions to deliver programs for their staff, leveraging regional expertise and resources. The goal, he added, is to position the centre as a globally marketed hub that can attract students from across Pacific Island countries, reducing the need for offshore training.
Suchin emphasized that ATS has faced a loss of skilled staff in the aftermath of the COVID-19 disruptions. To sustain operations, he said, partnering with schools that provide vocational catering training is essential. This approach would simultaneously backfill in-house needs and contribute to the broader market by producing a pipeline of skilled workers.
The facility is planned to incorporate manufacturing, meal production, a training centre, and administrative offices, creating a comprehensive campus environment.
Context and related developments:
– Earlier expansion plans surrounding ATS’s catering operations in Nadi have highlighted significant investment in infrastructure, with a project cost estimated at 30 to 40 million dollars. The site is expected to sit near ATS’s existing catering centre at Nadi International Airport, involving two land parcels and a potential groundbreaking once a project manager is secured.
– Feasibility work included international benchmarking, with visits to airline catering facilities in India to glean best practices in procurement, manufacturing, and onboarding, underscoring Fiji’s broader push to modernize its aviation and tourism infrastructure.
Why this matters:
– The proposed training hub could bolster ATS’s operational resilience by developing a homegrown talent pool, reducing reliance on offshore training and staffing.
– By partnering with local vocational institutions, the project could stimulate regional employment and supplier opportunities, contributing to Fiji’s ambitions to diversify and strengthen its aviation support services.
– The initiative aligns with Fiji’s broader trajectory of aviation infrastructure upgrades and tourism-driven economic growth, reinforcing the country’s position as a regional training and services hub.
ATS’s plan for a new training centre in Nadi, integrated with a future catering facility, represents a strategic move to cultivate local talent for the aviation support sector while offering a global training platform for Pacific Island students. With construction planned to begin in Q1 next year, the centre aims to address post-pandemic staffing challenges and support both in-house needs and the wider regional market.
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