Suva City Council (SCC) employees engaged in skill-based roles have been granted the opportunity to enhance their qualifications through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pacific Polytech (PP).
Tevita Boseiwaqa, the acting CEO of SCC, stated that this agreement will enable staff members to achieve skilled-based certificates, with an estimated 200 employees set to benefit. He emphasized that the initiative will cover a significant portion of the workforce, thanks to its focus on a multi-level and multi-skills approach.
Boseiwaqa added that SCC plans to conduct a training needs analysis to determine specific areas where staff can utilize the MoU effectively. This analysis aims to identify skill gaps within the organization, ultimately aiming to broaden employee competencies.
He stressed the importance of multi-skilling, stating that employees with diverse skills are better positioned for growth compared to those specializing in a single area.
Peni Taoi, the founding director of PP, expressed support for the MoU, noting that it complements similar agreements established with Labasa and Nasinu Town Councils. He highlighted that Pacific Polytech specializes in technical training and provides upskilling opportunities in response to emerging needs in the workforce. This MoU marks Taoi’s third collaboration with a council, following those in Labasa and Nasinu.