Fiji’s care-giving industry has the potential to become a standalone sector, thanks to the natural care-giving skills of Fijians.
This was highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Manoa Kamikamica, during the re-launch of the Prestige Skills Training Academy.
The Prestige Skills Training Academy, one of Fiji’s local institutions offering care-giving courses, seeks to empower Fijians to enter this growing field.
Director of the academy, Dr. Swartika Nair, emphasized that their programs aim to strengthen community members by providing them with essential care-giving skills.
Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica underscored that care-giving aligns with Fijian cultural values of respect and care for the elderly and vulnerable members of society.
He emphasized that Fijians have a natural talent for care-giving and, with adequate support, care-giving could become a major independent industry in the country.
“We need to diversify the Fijian economy, and we do think that the retirement care-giving sector has a great potential in Fiji,” Kamikamica said.
Dr. Nair added that the academy’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses, accredited by the Fiji Higher Education Commission, provide graduates with national qualifications, equipping them with professional recognition.
Many graduates have already entered the care-giving workforce, with new programs introduced in mental health care and manual handling skills.
These specialized programs are expected to address a wide range of needs within Fiji’s communities, further enhancing the care-giving landscape in the country.
The re-launch of the Prestige Skills Training Academy has the potential to contribute to both domestic and international care-giving markets.