Skilled employees at the Suva City Council (SCC) now have the opportunity to enhance their qualifications through a new partnership with Pacific Polytech (PP). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed, paving the way for SCC staff to pursue skill-based certificates.
SCC’s acting chief executive officer, Tevita Boseiwaqa, emphasized the significance of this MoU, noting that it will benefit more than 200 employees engaged in skill-based work. He pointed out that the agreement will impact approximately three-quarters of the staff, aligning with the council’s commitment to a multi-level and multi-skilled approach.
To maximize the benefits of this collaboration, SCC plans to conduct a training needs analysis to pinpoint specific areas where employees can utilize the MoU. This will help identify skills gaps and inform the creation of broader training opportunities. Mr. Boseiwaqa believes that equipping staff with multiple skills will enhance their professional growth and adaptability.
Peni Taoi, founding director of Pacific Polytech, expressed his enthusiasm for the agreement, highlighting that it extends similar benefits previously offered to employees of Labasa and Nasinu Town Councils through earlier MoUs. He noted that while PP focuses on technical training, it also aims to provide upskilling to meet emerging opportunities in the workforce. With the signing of this MoU, SCC becomes the third council to partner with Pacific Polytech.