Suva City Council (SCC) employees focused on skill-based roles will have the opportunity to enhance their qualifications through a new partnership with Pacific Polytech (PP), following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Tevita Boseiwaqa, acting chief executive officer of SCC, emphasized that the agreement will benefit over 200 staff members engaged in skill-based work. He highlighted that the MoU aims to support three-quarters of the staff, aligning with their multi-level and multi-skills approach.
To implement the agreement effectively, SCC plans to conduct a training needs analysis to determine the specific skills required for their workforce. This analysis will help identify areas where additional staffing is needed, with the goal of increasing employee versatility in different skill sets.
Mr. Boseiwaqa noted that possessing multiple skills will strengthen employees’ growth potential compared to being specialized in a single area.
Peni Taoi, founding director of Pacific Polytech, expressed enthusiasm for the new agreement, highlighting that it complements similar MoUs established with Labasa and Nasinu Town Councils. He pointed out that Pacific Polytech specializes in technical training and offers opportunities for upskilling in various fields. This MoU marks the third partnership the institution has formed with local councils.