Dr. Daniel Wood, the mechanical engineering discipline coordinator at the University of the South Pacific, is raising important concerns regarding the ongoing brain drain affecting Fiji. At the recent Employ Women and Empower the Pacific workshop, Dr. Wood pointed out that major engineering firms are significantly contributing to this issue by recruiting expatriate workers at salaries three times higher than those paid to local professionals. He posited that unless the local mentality shifts to provide equitable compensation for skilled locals, this trend will likely continue, leading to further loss of talent.
In addition to discussing brain drain, Dr. Wood also addressed gender disparities in engineering. He highlighted that women’s involvement in the energy sector remains alarmingly low, with recent World Bank data indicating that only 43% of women in Fiji are active in the labor force. This underutilization of female talent persists despite efforts to boost women’s representation in traditionally male-dominated fields. Dr. Wood urged companies to focus on retaining local talent while simultaneously enhancing opportunities for women in engineering and other technical domains.
Echoing Dr. Wood’s concerns, Fiji National University’s Dean of the College of Engineering and Technical Vocational Education and Training, Salabogi Mavoa, shared that the university is implementing initiatives to encourage female students to explore careers in engineering. Their TVET First initiative involves outreach to girls’ schools to spark interest in science and engineering subjects.
Similar efforts recognize the need for systemic changes, involving stakeholders from educational bodies to government and community organizations, to provide young girls and women the support needed to pursue careers in STEM fields. Past initiatives like the Women in Tech Fiji Chapter serve as examples of the growing movement to empower women in technology and engineering.
The urgency of addressing gender and employment disparities is clear, and with ongoing support and innovative initiatives, there is hope for a future where more women in Fiji succeed in engineering and related fields. This not only contributes to greater gender equity but also strengthens the local workforce and economy.
Overall, as Fiji continues to tackle these challenges, there is an optimistic outlook that future generations will enjoy greater opportunities and representation in all sectors.
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