A new career center is set to be established in Fiji to address the ongoing labor shortage in the country. This initiative, spearheaded by Natural Waters of Viti Pte Limited—the producer of FIJI Water—will replicate a successful model from California, as shared by the company’s assistant general counsel for the South Pacific, Marigold Moody, at the Top Executives Conference 2024 (TO PEX2024) held at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa.
Moody described the career center as a significant investment geared towards enhancing Fiji’s workforce through skills development. She noted, “I oversee special projects, which broadly support our business endeavors in Fiji,” highlighting the commitment of FIJI Water to contribute positively to the local economy.
At present, the company operates about 11 vessels across the Pacific, but there’s a growing concern over a lack of qualified Pacific Island seafarers to work on these ships. Moody emphasized the urgency of this issue, stating that despite their recent investment of over FJ$140 million to expand their operational capacity by approximately 47%, they will require a larger workforce over the next decade to fully utilize this expansion.
The proposed career center aims to partner with Fiji National University, with a target launch date set for 2025. Moody acknowledged that this initiative may take some time to fully materialize but expressed optimism about its potential impact. The focus will be on creating job readiness and bridging gaps between training and employer needs, with an experienced team of education specialists ready to develop curricula that align with industry requirements.
Moody encouraged collaboration by inviting other members of the manufacturing and marine sectors to join the career center through an industry council. This collaborative approach aims to foster a skilled workforce prepared to meet the challenges of the local job market.
Overall, this initiative is a promising step towards overcoming the skills gap in Fiji’s workforce, potentially leading to improved employment opportunities and economic growth. By prioritizing practical job training aligned with business needs, the career center could serve to empower local talent and stimulate further development across the region.
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