Watesoni Nata Jr, a businessman from Suva and 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 the Pacific Polytech panel discussions on the skills gap held in Suva last week, he pointed out that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) employ approximately 60 percent of Fiji’s workforce and make a significant contribution to the national GDP, underscoring the impact of skills mismatches on this sector.
Mr. Nata criticized the Ministry of Education for its slow pace in implementing reforms that have yet to effectively resolve the skills gap hindering MSMEs. He stated, “We should not ignore the skills challenges we have. Pre-labour migration schemes and pre-COVID-19, there have been skills mismatches and a lack of soft skills affecting the curriculum from primary to tertiary education.”
He recounted that discussions about educational reform have been ongoing for over 20 years, stating, “We’ve been hearing (about reform in the education sector) from 20 years ago when I was still in high school.”
Nata called for an educational system that aligns more closely with industry demands at all levels, from primary to tertiary. He advocated for increased collaboration between educational institutions and MSMEs, as well as the development of better training facilities and curricula to provide students with the practical skills necessary for the workforce.
“We need to start addressing these issues from the ground up,” he remarked. “Our education system must produce graduates who are not only qualified but also industry-ready.”
In addition to improving local training, Mr. Nata proposed looking into labor sources from the Pacific region and devising effective strategies to reintegrate returning Fijians to help fill the skills gap and support the growth of MSMEs.