Skilled employees at Suva City Council (SCC) now have the opportunity to enhance their qualifications through skilled-based certifications, following the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pacific Polytech (PP).
Tevita Boseiwaqa, the acting chief executive officer of SCC, stated that the MoU will benefit staff members by providing avenues for professional development. “Most of our employees are engaged in skill-based work, and over 200 staff members will be included in this initiative,” Mr. Boseiwaqa said. He emphasized that the agreement targets approximately 75 percent of their staff and aligns with a multi-layered and diverse skills approach.
To implement the agreement effectively, SCC will conduct a training needs analysis to identify specific training areas for their employees. This analysis will help pinpoint skills gaps and areas where additional staff training is necessary, ultimately aiming to equip staff with a broader skill set. “When they are multi-skilled, their potential for growth significantly increases compared to being limited to one specialization,” he explained.
Peni Taoi, founding director of Pacific Polytech, expressed his support for the agreement. He noted that this MoU serves as an extension of similar agreements previously established with Labasa and Nasinu Town Councils. “Pacific Polytech focuses on technical training and upskilling to match the emerging opportunities,” Mr. Taoi added. This is the third MoU for the council, with the previous agreements in Labasa and Nasinu.