National Quality Convention Kicks off
There is a debate raging across industries in Fiji about how workplaces can increase productivity.
The Fiji National University’s National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) is invariably part of this debate.
It is the organisation tasked with promoting productivity and quality in the country.
One way NTPC does this through quality circle or groups of employees from varying industries that meet to discuss ways to enhance productivity.
Seven quality circles (QCs) came together yesterday for the two-day 23rd National Convention on Quality at the Pearl South Pacific Resort in Pacific Harbour.
Themed “Sustainable Productivity,” the convention pitted QCs against each other in a competition that rewards the team with the best strategy to increase productivity.
Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was chief guest at the event.
He urged participants to find innovative solutions to tackle productivity issues.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum highlighted three areas that he believed could increase productivity: having an environment that allows productivity to flourish, improving business processes and adopting technology.
He said Government wants productivity to increase but we also have to ensure that those people whom we expect productivity to increase from are given the right environment and tools.
The philosophy that we are coming from is that if you are able to ensure your employees that you understand the needs and demands and cater for that when they will be more productive, he said.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said Fiji was lacking a service delivery culture similar to ones prevalent in places like Singapore.
Pro vice-chancellor view
FNU’s pro vice-chancellor professor James Pounder said increasing productivity required innovative ideas.
“One of the aims of the productivity movement is just this: we need to look for innovations for making and delivering goods and services without damaging our environment,” Mr Pounder
“Sustainable productivity covers a range of subjects. “They include working better with customers, developing innovative products, creating a more enriched workplace for employees, investing in the development of greater staff competence, engaging in the local communities and creating safer, more efficient products and services with reduced environment impact.” The teams will present their ideas on both days in front of a panel of judges that includes a productivity consultant from Singapore.
The winner will be annonced today.
Last year’s winnners
Future Farms Limited, trading as Rooster Poultry, won the competition last year.
South Pacific Distilleries and Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa have entered the competition this year for the first time.
Employer concerns
The convention comes as some employers raise concerns about the courses offered at NTPC not being relevant to the demands of industry.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said Government was working with FNU to introduce courses that were more attuned to industry needs.
He also spoke about major changes planned in the next six to nine months in relation to Government service delivery.
This includes the roll-out of a smart phone application that can be used to register newborn babies.
Don’t abuse power
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum ended his address by urging participants not to abuse power should they find themselves in a position of authority.