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Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Fiji (RATIFICATION: 2013)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of policies and programmes on vocational guidance and vocational training. In response to the Committee’s 2015 comments, the Government reports that the compilation of employment data following the completion of training courses is being instituted as a requirement for all higher education institutes and technical colleges. The Government adds that information is being compiled through the Fiji Education Management Information System (FEMIS) and the Tertiary Student Loans Board, which is currently being developed. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the range of programmes offered by the Technical College of Fiji (TCF). The Government also reports an overall increase in the number of students taking technical vocational education and training (TVET) subjects in secondary schools. It indicates that the TCF will be offering five new National Certificates in tiling, block laying, plastering, sustainable energy, and resilience (climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction). Moreover, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that, in 2016, the TVET syllabus was reviewed and the content was adapted to align it more closely to national needs. Furthermore, a consultant has been appointed to review the TVET sector and provide insights into current provision, pathway opportunities and identify gaps in provision as well as seek better ways of working together as a sector. The Committee invites the Government to provide updated and detailed information on the impact of the policies and programmes on vocational training and vocational guidance, and their alignment with national employment objectives. The Committee also requests the Government to supply updated information on any developments in terms of lessons learned from the data compiled on employment after completion of training courses for all higher education institutes and technical colleges.

Article 3. Vocational training and guidance for disadvantaged groups. The Committee notes that the Fiji Higher Education Committee (FHEC) is in the process of implementing a system of data collection on equity, based on the following criteria: gender, disability, rural student access and socio-economic status. The Committee invites the Government to provide updated information with regard to the implementation of this system of data collection. It further requests the Government to communicate updated detailed information on measures taken or envisaged in relation to vocational training and vocational guidance programmes targeting young persons as well as older workers, in addition to other specific groups with nationally identified special needs (see Paragraph 5(h) of the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195)).

Article 4. Lifelong learning. The Government indicates that new qualifications have been developed in the following sectors: tourism, sports, forestry, security, wholesale and retail, agriculture (sugar) and agriculture (forestry), in partnership with the relevant industries, to ensure that the levels and skills identified meet the needs of employers in those sectors. The Committee further notes that the FHEC is collaborating with the TCF in investigating the possibility of establishing a bridging foundation programme to enable students to enter the TCF to pursue higher education courses, with the objective of attracting young women to pursue higher education opportunities. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated and detailed information, including statistical data disaggregated by sex and age, on the nature and impact of measures adopted to ensure that vocational training programmes cover different segments of the economy and are adapted to the changing requirements of individuals throughout their lives.

Article 5. Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes the existence of the Industry Sector Advisory Committees (ISACs), which are composed by representatives of the industry (60 per cent) and teachers and students (40 per cent), which assist and advise the Fiji Higher Education Committee (FHEC) in identifying the needs of the industry and developing new qualifications. The Committee recalls that the Convention requires that vocational guidance and vocational training policies and programmes be formulated and implemented in cooperation with both employers’ and workers’ organisations. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide updated information if any changes with respect to cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations, new procedures or consultative machinery are implemented.