KPMG Fiji is set to launch the second edition of its ‘IT’s Her Future’ program on July 17-18, 2025, aimed at final-year female university students. This initiative follows the success of the inaugural two-day insights program held in September 2024 and is designed to encourage women’s participation in the technology sector, where they are notably under-represented.
Managed by Lisa Apted, KPMG Fiji’s Managing Partner, the program will host 15 participants, a slight increase from the 13 participants in the previous year, with some participants expected to join as graduates in 2026. Apted emphasized that the initiative is not only about training but also provides a networking opportunity, allowing students to engage with women across KPMG’s business who share their career stories and offer mentorship.
KPMG’s commitment to promoting diversity is underscored by the fact that women hold only 25% of technical roles and constitute just 34% of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce. Apted highlighted the potential talent pool of young, tech-savvy women in Fiji, asserting that this initiative aims to create job opportunities and develop a pipeline of skilled talent for the future.
Participants of the program will not only receive mentorship but will also have the opportunity to interview for graduate positions within KPMG’s Connected Technology Group and Enterprise Technology teams upon completion. By exposing young women to role models in inspiring positions, KPMG aims to foster a sustainable talent pipeline in the technology sector.
This program is expected to make a significant difference by challenging traditional gender roles in tech and guiding women toward considering technology careers that may have been previously overlooked. The positive outcomes from the initial programs in Australia, where all participants secured placements in KPMG’s 2025 AU Vacationer Scheme, bode well for the future of this initiative in Fiji.
Overall, KPMG’s proactive approach to enhance gender diversity in technology not only benefits their own organization but also serves as a model of empowerment for women entering the field, creating opportunities that will shape the industry’s landscape.
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