Fiji : The Fiji National University’s National Training & Productivity Centre (NTPC) launched the National Apprenticeship yesterday. This launch coincides with the scheme in marking the 55th year of existence of the apprenticeship programme.
The former minister, director of Horeb Engineering, and founder of the apprenticeship programme, Netani Sukanaivalu, was the chief guest at the launch of the National Apprenticeship Scheme week and the schemes 55th year celebrations at the FNU’s Nasinu campus.
Mr Sukanaiavlu said the programme was the first and one of the most successful skill development programmes used in the country and its contribution to the growth process of the country has been invaluable.
“The apprentice programme has seen many young men and women come through its doors and go on to become successful leaders of the trade industry in the country and abroad,” he said.
Mr Sukanaivalu said the hands-on-practical experience gained by the apprentices was invaluable and surpassed the learning often derived from traditional modes of training and education.
“An ex-apprentice like me and some of the invited guests sitting here end up being the elite among tradesmen,” he said.
He said some apprentices had taken up managerial positions in industries, government entities and training institutes etc and are continuing to aid national development as the backbone of Fiji’s economy and in the technical arena. According to the director National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC), Isimeli Tagicakiverata, the apprenticeship programme was an opportunity for a learner at NTPC to promote apprenticeship in a big way throughout the country.
Many people in Fiji, he said especially young people, still do not know what apprenticeship was and what it involved.
“This launching is meant to inform people about the opportunities, the pathways and advantages of becoming an apprentice in Fiji,” he said.
“This is something that needed to be hosted on a yearly basis because there is a huge return on investment if all parties – the employer, the apprentice and NTPC play their part well and are committed to the agreement. Apprenticeship is about hands-on practical learning, it’s about developing a positive work relationship with fellow employees and with supervisors. The programme is also about listening and learning from others, and maturing on the job in developing soft skills and good work ethics”, he added.
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