Suva City Council (SCC) staff involved in skilled-based work now have the opportunity to improve their qualifications through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Pacific Polytech (PP).
Tevita Boseiwaqa, the acting chief executive officer of SCC, stated that this agreement will benefit employees by enhancing their skill sets. “The majority of our staff perform skilled work and require advancement; over 200 employees will participate in this initiative,” he noted.
Boseiwaqa highlighted that the MoU is designed to support about three-quarters of the workforce. He emphasized the council’s multi-level and multi-skill approach, suggesting that this collaboration will have a significant positive impact.
SCC plans to conduct a training needs analysis to identify specific skill areas to leverage the MoU effectively. This analysis will help pinpoint staffing needs and aims to broaden employees’ skill sets.
“When staff members are skilled in multiple areas, it enhances their growth potential, offering a stronger development platform rather than limiting them to a single specialization,” he explained.
Peni Taoi, founding director of Pacific Polytech, expressed enthusiasm for the agreement, noting that it complements previous MoUs established with Labasa and Nasinu Town Councils. “Pacific Polytech focuses on technical training and offers upskilling opportunities that align with emerging job prospects,” Taoi remarked. “This marks my third MoU with a council, following those with Labasa and Nasinu, and now with SCC.”