Telecommunications Fiji’s Training Crisis: Will Funding Follow?

Telecommunications Fiji is seeking more than $165,000 for staff training and capacity-building this year, focusing on crucial technical areas. The company informed Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee that it received only $6,000 for training in the current year, a sum deemed inadequate to address the increasing demands of the telecommunications sector.

Chief Executive Prit Chand highlighted that a high staff turnover rate has hindered the retention of experienced employees, especially in finance and engineering sectors. Since 2015, the workforce has dwindled from seven to five members, raising concerns about capacity in key operational areas. “Currently, we have a well-functioning finance team across two offices, with one finance officer and one finance assistant, but we need to add a qualified finance manager,” Chand noted.

He underlined the necessity of investing in training as vital for the company’s success; however, he warned that without sufficient funding, Telecommunications Fiji risks falling behind in a competitive industry. Chand expressed hope that government support would enable the development of a more robust and stable workforce.

Similar articles have discussed the broader context of funding in the telecommunications sector in Fiji, emphasizing initiatives taken by the Fijian government and the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF) to create sustainable funding models. These initiatives are part of TAF’s strategic plan for 2025-2029, which outlines the need for adequate resources to meet ambitious goals and enhance operational efficiency across the industry. The government has committed to supporting regulatory bodies to ensure they are well-resourced enough to foster a competitive telecommunications landscape.

This collective effort reflects a significant commitment to improving not just staffing and training within Telecommunications Fiji, but the entire regulatory framework surrounding Fiji’s telecommunications sector. The aspirations for enhanced services signal a hopeful future for consumers and industry stakeholders alike, as better staffing and training could lead to improved operational standards and service delivery in the telecommunications arena.