The Suva City Council (SCC) has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pacific Polytech (PP), allowing its skilled-based employees to upgrade their qualifications and obtain certificates.
SCC’s acting chief executive officer, Tevita Boseiwaqa, highlighted that this agreement will benefit a majority of their workforce, with over 200 staff members expected to participate. “Most of our employees perform skill-based work and require this accreditation,” Mr. Boseiwaqa noted. He emphasized that the MoU is designed to cover three-quarters of the staff and aligns with their strategy of fostering a multi-level and multi-skilled workforce.
To maximize the MoU’s potential, SCC will carry out a training needs analysis aimed at identifying specific areas where staff can benefit. This analysis will also help the council determine where additional staff may be needed, ultimately aiming to provide employees with a broader skill set. “Being multi-skilled not only enhances personal growth opportunities but also strengthens their overall platform for advancement, as opposed to being restricted to a single specialty,” said Mr. Boseiwaqa.
PP’s founding director, Peni Taoi, expressed his approval of the new agreement, noting it complements similar MoUs established with Labasa and Nasinu Town Councils. “At Pacific Polytech, we focus on technical skills and also offer upskilling opportunities to meet the emerging demands,” Mr. Taoi stated. This agreement marks the third collaboration between PP and a council, following previous arrangements with Labasa and Nasinu.