Since 2022, more than 100 employees have left the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF), resulting in a significant skills and competency gap within the workforce. This situation was addressed during WAF’s “Annual Customer Forum” held in Suva this morning.
Seru Soderberg, WAF’s Chief Operating Officer, noted that the staff departures include 65 positions in critical areas such as electrical and mechanical trades, technical roles, laboratory staffing, geographic information systems (GIS), surveying and land valuation, as well as finance. He attributed the loss of skilled personnel to opportunities in Australia and New Zealand.
Seymour Singh, the Chief Strategy and Information Officer, emphasized that this issue directly affects the water sector and requires immediate attention. He pointed out that WAF is not only losing employees to international markets but also to other sectors within Fiji.
The WAF Annual Customer Forum aims to provide updates on ongoing developments and projects, facilitate discussions on pertinent issues, and gather customer feedback regarding service delivery. The forum also serves to disseminate information and raise awareness, focusing on fostering changes in attitudes and behaviors related to water conservation and waste management, as well as enhancing WAF’s overall services.