TAF’s Bold Move: Investing in Employee Futures for a Connected Fiji

The Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF) is advancing its initiatives by focusing on staff development and training. In a recent engagement with the Public Accounts Committee regarding the budget for professional development, TAF’s Manager for Human Resources, Corporate, and Finance, Waisele Latianara, outlined the organization’s financial constraints despite its commitment to upskilling employees.

TAF has been allocated a budget of $165,000 for specialized technical training overseas this financial year. This funding is intended for staff participation in international workshops, symposiums, and conferences organized by notable entities like the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Asia-Pacific Telecommunications (APT), and the Pacific Islands Telecommunication Association (PITA). Additionally, there is a separate budget of $6,000 for local training initiatives.

Latianara emphasized the necessity of utilizing budgets effectively, enabling technical engineering staff to participate in essential overseas training workshops that enhance their expertise. He also clarified that some of the training funding had previously been misconstrued in a recent FBC News article, which inaccurately reported TAF Chief Executive Prit Chand as seeking additional funds for training. In reality, the authority has been efficiently using its existing resources to meet its capacity-building objectives.

This makes clear TAF’s strategy to improve its capabilities, aligning with broader goals set forth in its recently unveiled Five-Year Strategic Plan (2025-2029). The plan aims for enhanced regulatory effectiveness, service delivery, advocacy, and financial sustainability within the telecommunications sector in Fiji. The strategic plan’s implementation reflects optimism for a future where all Fijians can access advanced telecommunication services, enhancing both operational standards and overall inclusivity in the industry.

These developments underscore TAF’s commitment to overcoming challenges and improving the telecommunications landscape in Fiji, ultimately fostering a more connected and digitally empowered society.