Watesoni Nata Jr, a businessman in Suva and chairman of the MSME Council under the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), has urged for educational reforms to address the skills shortage in Fiji. During the Pacific Polytech panel discussions on the skills crisis, Mr. Nata emphasized the crucial role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which employ around 60 percent of Fiji’s workforce and make significant contributions to the country’s GDP.
Mr. Nata criticized the Ministry of Education for its slow progress on reforms which he believes have not adequately addressed the skills gap impacting MSMEs. He pointed out that issues related to skills mismatches and a lack of soft skills in the curriculum have persisted for years, affecting the workforce’s readiness.
He called for a comprehensive educational system that aligns better with the needs of industry, advocating for enhanced collaboration between educational institutions and MSMEs. Additionally, he underscored the importance of improving training facilities and curricula to provide students with practical skills that meet employers’ requirements.
Mr. Nata also suggested looking beyond local training by considering labor sources from the Pacific region and improving integration strategies for returning Fijians to help fill the skills gap and bolster the growth of MSMEs. He emphasized the necessity of building a foundation that produces graduates who are not just qualified but also ready to step into the industry.