Suva City Council (SCC) employees who work in skilled-based roles now have the opportunity to pursue and acquire skilled-oriented certificates thanks to a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Pacific Polytech (PP).
SCC’s acting chief executive officer, Tevita Boseiwaqa, stated that this agreement will enable staff to enhance their qualifications. “The majority of our staff are engaged in skill-based work and require this training; in total, over 200 staff members are expected to participate,” he remarked.
Mr. Boseiwaqa emphasized that the initiative will benefit three-quarters of the workforce, highlighting their multi-level and multi-skill approach, which he believes will have a significant positive impact. SCC will conduct a training needs analysis to pinpoint specific areas where staff members can effectively utilize the MoU.
This analysis will help identify skills gaps and guide the development of staff competency, with the broader aim of equipping employees with diverse skill sets. “When employees are multi-skilled, they have a stronger foundation for growth compared to being specialized in a single area,” he added.
PP founding director Peni Taoi expressed his support for the new agreement, noting that it complements similar MoUs previously established with Labasa and Nasinu Town Councils, offering comparable benefits to their employees. “Pacific Polytech specializes in technical training; we also focus on providing upskilling opportunities that arise,” Mr. Taoi mentioned. “This is my third MoU with a council, following those in Labasa and Nasinu.”